Evaluation of the Clinical Information Access Program (CIAP)
The Clinical Information Access Project (CIAP) provides health professionals in New South Wales with online access to clinical decision support information at the point of care. CIAP is designed to support evidence-based practice in order to improve the quality of patient care. CIAP also has an important role to play in supporting clinicians geographically isolated from colleagues and resource bases.
The CHI designed a two-year evaluation program of CIAP consisting of four stages. The aim of the CIAP evaluation was to improve understanding of clinicians’ information needs and assess the extent to which the CIAP supports clinical decision-making processes and improves patient care. The three central questions addressed by the research were:
- Do clinicians use online evidence and why do they use it?
- What factors influence online evidence use?
- What impact does use have on clinical practice?
In 2003 the CIAP evaluation was completed with the publication of two further reports. Three further journal
papers were published and a paper on the findings from the NSW-wide survey of allied health professionals’ use
of CIAP won the best paper award at the 11th National Health Informatics Conference.