Introduction

Dissemination is one of the main functions in library and information science. Information distribution is provided in whatever context is needed. With my focus on nursing, this blog will tend to focus on issues related to dissemination of information in health care and nursing. Health care itself is information intensive as we are always answering questions and giving out information.

So how do nurses distribute information? If out in the field such as in community and public health, they may be constantly bombarded with questions related to their health problems. Information is imparted verbally or through distribution of written materials. Another way that nurses distribute information is through data collected on patients and then recorded on a record and verbally to the physician. In the past this data was basically collected and then selectively stored on optical disks with infrequent retrieval on re-admission to the hospital. Now this data is collected in order to gather information on nursing phenomena in clinical areas and build nursing knowledge. Additionally, nurses are now focused on evidence-based practice for providing quality patient care. They want to know what are the best practices for quality care.

As an educator, they need to provide up-to-date information to both students and patients. Anyone involved in research knows that they need to broadcast their findings through publication and presentations at conferences. Managers also propagate information in their policies and procedures that are reviewed and developed in providing patient care and employment.

So terms that you may see in my postings that are synonymous with dissemination are: broadcasting, distribution, diffusion, spreading, propagation, and giving out.