Social Learning theory as a Theoretical Framework for Understanding Non-use of Clinical Information Resources among Medical Doctors in Resource Constrain Settings

Universities library have invested in medical library and provide clinical and pre-clinical information resources and services to encourage quality teaching, learning and research. Unfortunately, the university library are losing huge sum of money due to the non-use of medical library. Using Vygotsky’s theory of social development and his perspective on social interaction and MKO. Therefore, this study explored the reasons for non-use of medical library among medical doctors in Brau Dikko Teaching Hospital, Kaduna State University (BDTH-KASU). A qualitative research methodology was adopted. Data were collected using in-depth interview with eleven (11) medical doctors, whom were selected through purposive sampling, particularly criterion sampling. Data from respondents were analyzed using thematic analysis. Findings revealed that, Lack of Time Compliance, Lack of Internet Connectivity, Inadequate Reading Space, and More Knowledgeable Others, are the major reasons for non-use of medical library. Therefore, this study posit that for the medical doctors to make use of the library there is need for the library management to provide good internet network, this will allow medical doctors to utilize the library so as to exploit the advantage of the medical library data network for their learning, teaching and researches as well as benefit from the rich databases subscribed by the university library to download current and up-to-date clinical information resources. It is also recommended that, the library management of KASU should create or provide conducive reading section for consultant doctors so as to avoid non-use of medical library. There is also need for the library management to extend the time of closing hour from 8:00am to 9:00pm so that the medical doctors can have time to utilize the library after working hours.