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International Research Journal of Library and Information Sciences

Open Access Peer Review International
Open Access

An Integrated Quantitative–Qualitative Assessment Model of Patient and Attendant Library Utilization in a Tertiary Care Hospital Setting in Greece

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Dr. Ethan Williams 1 ,
4 Department of Computer Engineering University of Toronto, Canada

Abstract

Hospital libraries play a critical yet often under-evaluated role in supporting patients and their attendants through access to health information, emotional support resources, and educational materials. This study develops and applies an integrated quantitative–qualitative assessment model to evaluate library utilization patterns within a tertiary care hospital setting in Greece, specifically focusing on patient and attendant engagement. Drawing upon archival management principles, information behavior theories, and survey-based research methodologies, the study employs a mixed-methods design combining structured questionnaires, usage analytics, and semi-structured interviews. The findings reveal that while awareness and accessibility significantly influence usage patterns, perceived relevance and institutional support are decisive determinants of sustained engagement. The study identifies structural inefficiencies in information organization, gaps in user education, and inconsistencies in service delivery. The proposed model demonstrates strong applicability for evaluating healthcare library systems and offers a scalable framework for optimizing user-centered services. The research contributes to both theoretical discourse and practical implementation strategies in hospital library management.

Keywords

Hospital library services, mixed-methods assessment, information behavior

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