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The main aim of the study is to determine whether information therapy (Ix) services are rendered in hospital/medical libraries in Iran and India and to identify the role of librarians in providing health information to patients in the context of information therapy (Ix) services, and the problems and prospects for rendering Ix services in hospital/medical libraries.

An exploratory survey was conducted using a questionnaire to collect data. Librarians were selected by a simple random sampling method from the membership list of the Iranian Medical Library Association and the Medical Library Association of India. In total, 100 questionnaires were distributed through mail and e‐mail to each of the sampling frames. A total of 71 and 84 valid responses were collected from Iran and India, respectively. Simple descriptive statistical analysis was utilized using SPSS version 15.5. A Chi‐square test or Fisher's exact test was used to compare variables.

Information therapy (Ix) services are rendered in the hospital/medical libraries of Iran and India, formally and informally. There are various obstacles for librarians in rendering Ix services in both countries.

The study brings to light the state of information therapy services in Indian and Iranian health science libraries in supporting patient care. It reflects the librarian's role in Ix, the problems and prospects. It enables library managers and health care policy makers to make evidence‐based decisions and develop standards and programs for successful national consumer health information and information therapy services.

The objective of this study is to find out physicians' attitudes towards prescribing information to patients and the barriers they may face regarding IPs to patients.

A cross‐sectional survey of 176 physicians working as clinical faculty members of the Tabriz University of Medical Sciences about the information prescription service (IPs) was undertaken using a structured and validated questionnaire. Descriptive statistics and a Fisher's exact test or chi square test were used to analyze data. A P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. All data were analyzed using SPSS.17.0.

The study found that physicians are positive about providing IPs. Most of the specialists, i.e. 95.4 per cent (n=167) completely agreed with prescribing information to patients. The physicians rated barriers that they may face in offering IPs. Majority of the specialists 97 per cent (n=174) acknowledged that patients have the right to receive IPs while being seen by healthcare providers. The study did not find significant association between specialty of physicians with their opinion about importance and necessity of IPs. However, there is a statistically significant relationship between the physicians' specialty and their opinions about the following ideas: “information may create side effects” (p=0.01), “the stage of diseases that patient experiences is important and to be considered in personalization of IPs” (p=0.01).

This study is unique because there are no similar studies in the published literature. Physicians are one of the main stakeholders in IPs, therefore it is important to find out their opinions and attitudes towards prescription of information.