A short article in reflection to how literacy is very important in all aspects of the society. Healthcare is significantly impacted by illiterate practitioners and patients alike!

1. 1| P a g e
Information Illiteracy: Implications to the healthcare field
Dr. Salim A. Al Flaiti, alflaiti@gmail.com
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Introduction
Over the centuries, societies were presented with many challenges to test their ability to
survive and thrive. Many have learned how to endure the requirements of the agricultural and
industrial ages, and have moved towards invention to sustain precedence, where one invention lead
to another, more advanced and complex (Davidson, 1998). Now, societies are presented with a new
era, where the power to lead and sustain precedence is in the hands of those who know. Hence, the
need to be well informed and ahead of the game is no longer the sole responsibility of governments;
it includes the freestanding businesses and individuals as well. This short article will display review of
a plethora of sources on information literacy, analyze illiteracy effect on scholarship, practice and
leadership, and contemplate the effect of illiteracy on the healthcare industry.
Understanding The Challenge
Problem magnitude. Based on the literature review of the published work cited, and analysis
of the information within each publication, one perceives obstacles in tackling the challenges of being
information literate are numerous. The major ones are those pertaining to understanding the corollary
of an information illiterate society (Presidential Committee, 1989), addressing the educational
shortcomings in developing information literate individuals (Zabel, 2004), realizing the importance of
global knowledge and effect rather than perpetuating country centered information alone (Lauer &
Yodanis, 2004), and evaluating literacy effects on the economy (Viadero, 2008).
Social impact. According to the Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report
(1989), the information age and the country's reaction to its social and educational implications can
have a direct effect on the development and maintenance of the democratic way-of-living in the USA.
Grossman (2008) raises the question if American's will be willing to elect a president who is partially
information illiterate, referring in his article to Vice President Chaney, who is a self-acclaimed
information technology illiterate. As the previous assertions are simultaneously investigated, it is
observed that information illiteracy exaggerated to an international level by Lauer & Yodanis (2004),
who indicate that many distinguish Americans as globally illiterate, is a point of concern that need to
be addressed. Hence information illiteracy is an international rather than a national problem.
Economic impact. Viadero (2008) reported that, "The National Commission on Excellence in
Education back in 1983 [suggested] that America’s economic well-being was intimately tied to the
quality of its schools." When information literacy is addressed from an educational perspective, Zabel
(2004) specifies that students lack information literacy capabilities, and hence implies low schooling
quality from that standpoint. Revision of the preceding indications allows on to theorize that
information illiteracy can have catastrophic implications on the industries of the country, including the
healthcare industry.
Impact on scholarship. When addressing the illiteracy impact on scholarship from a personal
aspiration standpoint, it is surprising to know that while it is common knowledge the majority of
exposure to information literacy occurs in an educational institution or work setting, only 27% of
Americans have a bachelor's degree although 75% of jobs require them (Reed-Woodard, 2008). If
this lack of personal yearning to learn prevails, one postulates that the degree attainment and job
requirement gap will proliferate and hence scholarly work would dwindle into scarcity.
From an institutional perspective, the need for decision makers to take responsibility in
addressing the necessity of equipping public libraries to disperse information to the social segments
that need it most (Presidential Committee, 1989), and participate proactively to instigate an

2. 2| P a g e
appendage the educational curricula to incorporate information literacy skills (Zabel, 2004) is vital.
The need for information literate workers, whose information literacy skills will lead toward
better knowledge of their individual professions is more evident than ever. Viadero's (2008) reflection
on the A Nation at Risk report states, "Technology and global competition are fueling a worldwide
demand for better-skilled workers.
From a leadership aspect, successful leaders must be information literate to maintain high
quality standards. Jiang, Lokee & Bass (2008) suggest that," the more knowledge [leaders have]
about the prevalence and impact of particular […] activities can help them perform thier roles more
effectively." Hence, if leaders fail to attain and master necessary information literacy skills, they will
fall behind in the competitive nature of today's economy, for to thrive: Businesses must exemplify
quality and knowledge.
An example: Healthcare
Efforts to eliminate information illiteracy in the healthcare filed should not be limited to
educating the healthcare providers, and …directed not only toward job training, per se, but also at
school reform efforts in which businesses are collaborating. Information literate individuals will be able
to make better decisions in choosing primary care physicians, insurance plans, and have valid input
in deciding treatment options. Hence, by "integrating information literacy into the curriculum" (Zabel,
2004), a new generation of healthcare workers and patients is created; one that realizes the necessity
of information, can locate its sources, and properly apply the new gained knowledge to the problems
it faces.
It is evident that the healthcare workforce needs to be information literate, since "A highly
skilled workforce can raise economic growth by about two-thirds of a percentage point a year"
(Viadero, 2008). Additionally, healthcare depends greatly on research, especially in the field of
pharmaceutical services. In consequence, the industry spends a tremendous amount on medical
research. Love (2000) stated the "average cost of drug development was $.5billion, and that only 1 in
5,000 compounds are successful." Building on the information from the literature and evaluating its
effect on the healthcare industry, one queries how much pharmaceutical companies will save if
literature reviews are prepared pertinently. Hence, what cost will the industry incur if illiteracy in
research prevails?
From a competitive and leading standpoint, the healthcare industry develops new
technologies rapidly. The lack of information on what is new can decrease the competitive position of
an organization. For example, in manufacturing medical equipment, products invented with apt
information, new products can assist in building more equipment, and the society expectations of a
business to deliver services with advanced technology will be a business benchmark. This is just as
Davidson (1998) said, "as soon as a breakthrough becomes perfected, adopted, and widespread,
social expectations rise immediately to meet the newfound capability". Hence, businesses that fail to
stay information literate will fall behind and eventually perish.
Conclusion
The need for information literacy is essential to foster growth and can act as a hurdle in the
development of in individuals, businesses and societies. Moreover, the amount of information
available is so immense that "no one on the planet comprehends the magnitude and ramifications of
what is occurring" (Davidson, 1998). It is hence conclusive that Information literate individuals can
bring diversity, ensure quality, and keep a competitiveness trait of businesses to assure enterprise or
country precedence. It could then be perceived that increasing individual access to information would
"…ultimately eliminate educational inequalities, and the subsequent rippling effect on the workplace
and society, in general, [and] would produce a stronger, more stable economy and a more cohesive
society" (A Progress Report, 1998).

3. 3| P a g e
The healthcare industry with the amount of money invested in its research and practice will be
affected by the prevalence of information literate individuals and organizations. Therefore, to flourish
against the challenges presented by the information age, there is a need to establish literate
communities. Information literate communities will create citizens who are experienced in retrieving,
sorting and choosing information that is vital to their survival and development and continually
advocate their democratic way of living.

4. 4| P a g e
References
Davidson, J. (1998, April). Slowing the hectic pace of stress. Public Management (00333611), 80(4),
14. Retrieved September 25, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
Grossman, L. (2008, August 25). The Off-Line American. Time, 172(8), 52-52. Retrieved September
29, 2008, from MasterFILE Premier database.
Jiang, H., Lockee, C., & Bass, K. (2008, March). Board Engagement in Quality: Findings of a Survey
of Hospital and System Leaders. Journal of Healthcare Management, 53(2), 121-135.
Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Business Source Complete database.
Lauer, S., & Yodanis, C. (2004, July). The International Social Survey Programme (ISSP): A Tool For
Teaching With An International Perspective. Teaching Sociology, 32(3), 304-313. Retrieved
September 15, 2008, from SocINDEX with Full Text database.
Love, J (2000, April). How Much does it cost to develop a new drug. Symposium conducted at the
meeting of MSF Working Group on R&D in Geneva. Retrieved September 29, 2008, from
http://www.cptech.org/ip/health/econ/howmuch.html
Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. (1989, January 10). Retrieved
September 15, 2008, from American Library Association.
A Progress Report on Information Literacy: An Update on the American Library Association
Presidential Committee on Information Literacy: Final Report. (1998, March). Retrieved
October 1, 2008 from American Library Association
Reed-Woodard, M. (2008, August). BACK TO SCHOOL. Black Enterprise , 39(1), 54-54. Retrieved
September 18, 2008, from MasterFILE Premier database.
Viadero, B (2008). Researchers Gain Insight Into Education's Impact on Nations' Productivity.
Education Week. 27(34),17-19. Retrieved speteber 29, 2008 from
http://www.edweek.org/info/about/
Zabel, D. (2004, January). A Reaction tonformation Literacy and Higher Education. Journal of
Academic Librarianship, 30(1), 17-21. Retrieved September 15, 2008, from Academic Search
Complete database.