Examining the Quality of Information Services in Medical Libraries in Iran Based on the Knowledge Management Model

One of the strategic goals of knowledge management and health information systems in the world is to provide up-to-date and quality medical information to scholars. It is important to provide efficient services by maintaining, upgrading, and dynamizing libraries and ultimately satisfying and meeting the information needs of users. The present study aims to investigate the quality of information services in medical libraries in Iran based on the knowledge management model

In this study, the quality of information services in the libraries of medical universities in Iran was examined through interviews with managers of selected libraries. The interview was based on Lawson’s knowledge management model in six areas of creation, capture, organization, storage, dissemination, and application. The participants were 10 managers of the libraries at Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Tabriz University of Medical Sciences, Birjand University of Medical Sciences, Guilan University of Medical Sciences, Kermanshah University of Medical Sciences, Zahedan University of Medical Sciences, Bushehr University of Medical Sciences, and Zabol University of Medical Sciences. The information was analyzed in Excel software.

The highest score (4.41) was obtained by Zabol University of Medical Sciences, and the lowest score (2.20) belonged to Iran University of Medical Sciences. 

The quality of information services based on the knowledge management model in Selected medical libraries in Iran is at a relatively moderate level. There is a need for fundamental changes in this field to promote information services in medical libraries. The medical universities in Iran need to improve the quality of information and communication technology infrastructure of libraries and develop knowledge maps to improve the ranking of the libraries.