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Describes briefly the results of research carried out to look at the provision of health information for consumers on the Channel Island of Guernsey. The research utilized a three‐pronged survey to examine the views of the general public, recent hospital in‐patients and health professionals. These groups were asked to provide their views on the information currently available to them, the sources used and their degree of satisfaction with what was currently available. Respondents were also asked what could be done to improve health information provision on the island. Parallel to this, an independent audit of information sources on the island was carried out. Results establish a baseline on which plans for developing an island‐wide policy can be built. They show that there is a dearth of good information available. Consumers ask for more to be provided by health professionals and provide a number of ideas which can be used by policy makers to develop services. Concludes that current opinion would seem to be that policy makers are using the results to take some encouraging action.

The paper highlights the need for grounding library and information policies within the environment they operate. The purpose of this paper is to argue for the grounding of health library and information policies within the health sector context.

The paper is an opinion piece which discusses the importance of grounding library and information policies in the national health sector strategic plans.

A comprehensive and structural approach to improving access to health information as part of the overall priorities in the health sector requires concrete policies, strategies and services to be put in place at all levels of the national health system.

The paper offers insights into how to influence the formulation and eventual implementation of a national policy for library and information services in the health sector.

It describes the areas in which library and information policies can be used to fulfill the critical roles of supporting the mission of health‐care delivery in the country.

This paper argues that while there have been significant advances in the development of consumer health information services over the past decade, there is no room for complacency as we approach the new millennium. If we are to avoid the dangers of complacency, passivity and superficiality we need to develop new skills. The future consumer health information professional will need to be skilled in creating information products, interpreting information needs and reviewing and synthesizing information to support decision making.

More library and information workers are likely to develop their careers ‘beyond the fringe’ of conventional librarianship. The post of Health Education/Information Officer (HE/IO) within Croydon Health Education Department demonstrates the potential to do so. The HE/IO acts as an information broker. Four main areas of activity are identified: (1) developing the library and information service; (2) meeting the information needs of colleagues; (3) promoting a healthy life‐style; (4) promoting the Health Education Department's services. The library has been reorganised. It is becoming a focus for other organisations seeking advice on handling information. The relevance of online searching is being tested. The creation of the post has enabled colleagues to concentrate on assessment, not retrieval, and has expanded the information dimension of the Department's work. The broker, like other Health Education Officers, undertakes research, liaison, planning, organisation, publicity and teaching. Library displays, reference packs of leaflets and information packs are used to promote health through libraries. Successful information brokerage requires wholehearted commitment to full participation in the work of a team, willingness to adapt and acquire new skills, and flexibility. Librarians and information workers could assume several different roles within Health Education Units.

Discusses the information needs and services of health consumers in Nigeria. The cluster‐quota sampling technique with a questionnaire instrument was used for data collection on 260 subjects out of which 250 responded and their questionnaires were found to be usable for analysis. The study found that there was a significant relationship between the levels of education of the health consumers and sources of information used. Books/reports, medical laboratories, film houses and medical library/records office were rarely used when they were searching for pertinent information on health care services. Also, their specific areas of health information needs and services were found to be health institutions service quality, child and maternal care, drugs administration, and family planning. The available health information systems failed to meet the demands made of them.

The achievement of a primary health care approach calls for professional partnership. Both government and non‐governmental organizations have repackaged information into various formats which are used to transfer health information to the rural communities in the developing world. Highlights some of the formats. Makes suggestions as to how libraries could also contribute to health information transfer to the rural population.

Describes the AccessMichigan Electronic Community Health Information Initiative (AMECHII) which aims to provide state‐wide access to high‐quality, timely, reliable and valid health information for consumers and practitioners, regardless of geographical location or economic status. A formal exploration phase has been completed which was notable for the involvement of experts from every type of library in the state and a variety of health‐care organisations. The next phase will be a strategic planning process, outlined to ultimately result in methods for economic sustainability and a new paradigm for multi‐type library and health‐care stakeholder collaboration for the acquisition, distribution and use of electronic health information over a wide geographical and culturally diverse area.

This paper aims to explore the intricate relationship between artificial intelligence (AI) and health information literacy (HIL), examining the rise of AI in health care, the intersection of AI and HIL and the imperative for promoting AI literacy and integrating it with HIL. By fostering collaboration, education and innovation, stakeholders can navigate the evolving health-care ecosystem with confidence and agency, ultimately improving health-care delivery and outcomes for all.

This paper adopts a conceptual approach to explore the intricate relationship between AI and HIL, aiming to provide guidance for health-care professionals navigating the evolving landscape of AI-driven health-care delivery. The methodology used in this paper involves a synthesis of existing literature, theoretical analysis and conceptual modeling to develop insights and recommendations regarding the integration of AI literacy with HIL.

Impact of AI on health-care delivery: The integration of AI technologies in health-care is reshaping the industry, offering unparalleled opportunities for improving patient care, optimizing clinical workflows and advancing medical research. Significance of HIL: HIL, encompassing the ability to access, understand and critically evaluate health information, is crucial in the context of AI-driven health-care delivery. It empowers health-care professionals, patients and the broader community to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. Intersection of AI and HIL: The convergence of AI and HIL represents a critical juncture, where technological innovation intersects with human cognition. AI technologies have the potential to revolutionize how health information is generated, disseminated and interpreted, necessitating a deeper understanding of their implications for HIL. Challenges and opportunities: While AI holds tremendous promise for enhancing health-care outcomes, it also introduces new challenges and complexities for individuals navigating the vast landscape of health information. Issues such as algorithmic bias, transparency and accountability pose ethical dilemmas that impact individuals’ ability to critically evaluate and interpret AI-generated health information. Recommendations for health-care professionals: Health-care professionals are encouraged to adopt strategies such as staying informed about developments in AI, continuous education and training in AI literacy, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and advocating for policies that promote ethical AI practices.

To enhance AI literacy and integrate it with HIL, health-care professionals are encouraged to adopt several key strategies. First, staying abreast of developments in AI technologies and their applications in health care is essential. This entails actively engaging with conferences, workshops and publications focused on AI in health care and participating in professional networks dedicated to AI and health-care innovation. Second, continuous education and training are paramount for developing critical thinking skills and ethical awareness in evaluating AI-driven health information (Alowais et al., 2023). Health-care organizations should provide opportunities for ongoing professional development in AI literacy, including workshops, online courses and simulation exercises focused on AI applications in clinical practice and research.

This paper lies in its exploration of the intersection between AI and HIL, offering insights into the evolving health-care landscape. It innovatively synthesizes existing literature, proposes strategies for integrating AI literacy with HIL and provides guidance for health-care professionals to navigate the complexities of AI-driven health-care delivery. By addressing the transformative potential of AI while emphasizing the importance of promoting critical thinking skills and ethical awareness, this paper contributes to advancing understanding in the field and promoting informed decision-making in an increasingly digital health-care environment.

This study aims to address the growing importance of online health information (OHI) and the associated uncertainty. Although previous research has explored factors influencing the credibility of OHI, results have been inconsistent. Therefore, this study aims to identify the essential factors that influence the perceived credibility of OHI by conducting a meta-analysis of articles published from 2010 to 2022. The study also aims to examine the moderating effects of demographic characteristics, study design and the platforms where health information is located.

Based on the Prominence-Interpretation Theory (PIT), a meta-analysis of 25 empirical studies was conducted to explore 12 factors related to information content and source, social interaction, individual and media affordance. Moderators such as age, education level, gender of participants, sample size, platforms and research design were also examined.

Results suggest that all factors, except social support, have significant effects on the credibility of OHI. Among them, argument quality had the strongest correlation with credibility and individual factors were also found to be relevant. Moderating effects indicate that social support was significantly moderated by age and education level. Different sample sizes may lead to variations in the role of social endorsement, while personal involvement was moderated by sample size, platform and study design.

This study enriches the application of PIT in the health domain and provides guidance for scholars to expand the scope of research on factors influencing OHI credibility.

The internet has evolved into an indispensable platform for seeking health information, particularly among transgender individuals. With an abundance of online resources available, extensive research into the credibility and reliability of this information is essential, as concerns about the quality of online resources persist. Transgender individuals are drawn to online health information due to the anonymity it offers, providing them with a sense of freedom from social isolation and the discomfort of experimenting with their transgender identity. However, it is crucial to assess the accuracy and reliability of the transgender health information available on the internet. This article aims to evaluate the quality of online transgender health resources by utilizing ten credibility indicators, along with six indicators to assess the veracity of the content.

A total of 179 online resources were meticulously reviewed after excluding any unnecessary and irrelevant ones, to ensure a comprehensive assessment.

The findings suggest that among the chosen resources, none of them meet all the criteria for maintaining high standards of accuracy and reliability in health information. In other words, none of these sources completely adhere to the established measures for ensuring that the information they provide is trustworthy and of high quality in the context of health.

The study provides valuable insights into the online realm of transgender health information, revealing both the strengths and weaknesses of the existing resources. By pinpointing areas that need enhancement and showcasing commendable practices, this research strives to promote a more knowledgeable and supportive online environment for individuals in search of transgender health information.