Abstract
This research had three major objectives that were: 1)to explore HSRI research users’ satisfaction both from the research contents and from accessibility to the research information, 2)to explore the problems and needs of the users and 3)to study the opinions on HSRI operation from the relevant parties who took part in formulating the policy of HSRI. The sample consisted of two groups; one from the executives or the parties relevant to policy formulation and the other from the researchers and academics who used the HSRI research. The data were gathered by mailing the questionnaires to the researchers and academics and interviewing the executives. The researchers and academics were randomly selected from 6,621 members of HSRI digital library during the years between 2007 to the mid 2008. The response rate was 48.4 percent calculating from 727 returned questionnaires. There were 9 executives who were interviewed.
The results were as follows:
1. The most important purposes of HSRI research usage were to develop themselves by increasing their research knowledge and to conduct their own research respectively. The least important purpose was to use the research for running their business.
2. For the satisfaction with HSRI research usage, the researchers and academics were most satisfied with publishing full text research papers in .pdf files and the contributions of research to develop health system respectively. The least score was the satisfaction with the research coverage of all areas of health system but the score was still at the high level of satisfaction.
For the satisfaction with academic work of HSRI, the satisfaction of the researchers and academics was at the high level. However, the executives rated their satisfaction at moderate level by giving reasons that the role of HSRI had been diminishing and its research contributions leading to health policy adaption were less than its former research work.
3. Regarding HSRI research usage communication channels, the researchers and academics used research via Journal of Health System Research most. The least usage of communication level was radio broadcasting.
4. New threats such as natural disasters and terrorism were the most needed research topics that the researchers and academics required HSRI to develop more. The second highest needed topic was mechanisms and tools for solving health problems occurring from environment.
5. The research on health system was the most needed information that the researchers and academics required HSRI to gather and store in HSRI database. For the improvement of website, the most needed contents were research analysis column and health policy analysis column respectively.
