Behavior and attitudes of residents and general practitioners in searching for health information: From intention to practice

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijmedinf.2016.02.003Get rights and content

Highlights

  • GPs and residents are aware of their lack of seeking information skills.

  • A large part of their searches is patient-centered and not disease- centered.

  • Most available online tools fail to integrate a patient-centered approach.

Abstract

Background

Physicians are increasingly encouraged to practice evidence-based medicine (EBM), and their decisions require evidence based on valid research. Existing literature shows a mismatch between general practitioners’ (GPs) information needs and evidence available online. The aim of this study was to explore the attitudes and behavior of residents in general medicine and GPs when seeking medical information online.

Methods

Five focus groups (FGs) involving residents in general medicine and GPs were conducted between October 2013 and January 2014. The overall number of participants recruited was 35. The focus group discussion guide focused on participants’ experiences in searching for health information on the Internet, perceived barriers and possible solutions for improving the quality of their own search processes. Descriptive analysis was performed by three researchers.

Results

Participants described a wide range of research topics, covering all general medicine core competencies, and especially patient-oriented topics. They used a limited list of websites. Participants were not confident about their ability to assess the quality of the information they found. Their assessment of data quality was based on intuition, and they mainly sought concordance with their existing knowledge. The way the data were exposed was considered very important. Participants were looking for information that was directly linked to their clinical practice. Information seeking processes varied among participants. They felt they had not mastered query building for conducting searches, and were aware of the impact this shortcoming had on the quality of their search for information.

Conclusions

Residents in general medicine and GPs understood the importance of EBM and the need for objective and reliable information. The present study highlights the difficulties in identifying this kind of information, and suggests ideas for improvement. Available search tools should change in order to fill the gap with real-world clinical practice, for example by integrating a patient-centred approach.

Section snippets

Background

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a combination of individual clinical expertise and best available external evidence alongside patient’s values and expectations [1]. Currently, EBM is increasingly encouraged in physicians’ practice, and decision-making, requiring evidence based on valid research.

General practitioners (GPs) face a wide range of patients and clinical situations during their practice. This generates a large number of questions on patient management, varying between 0.10 and 1.85

Design

We conducted a qualitative study. Data were collected through 5 focus groups (FG) interviews. We recruited residents in general medicine and GPs to join the focus groups. Dynamic interaction among the participants motivated our choice of data collection technique [9]. Data were analyzed using a qualitative descriptive approach.

Participant recruitment

Five FGs were conducted between October 2013 and January 2014. Purposive sampling involved recruiting residents with different levels of clinical experience in general

Participants profile

We recruited 35 participants. Fifteen were residents and 20 were GPs. Mean age was 45 years and 17 were male. The characteristics of the participants and practices are summarized in Table 1.

Key points

Firstly, a variety of research topics was described. Secondly, the reasons for participants using certain websites when seeking data were identified. Finally their querying habits were described.

Research topics

Research topics covered all general medicine core competencies. Many queries concerned the most frequent health

Summary of main findings

Participants described a wide range of research topics, covering all general medicine core competencies, and especially patient-oriented topics. They used a limited list of websites. Participants were not confident about their ability to assess the quality of the information they found. Their assessment of data quality was based on intuition, and they mainly sought concordance with their existing knowledge. The way of presenting the data was considered very important. Participants were looking

Competing interests

The authors declare they have no competing interests.

Authors’ contributions

MS, AM, and SJD had the initial idea of the study. MS, QF, and AM conceived the topic guide. MS, QF, and AM collected the data and performed analysis. MS drafted the manuscript. NG, GK, AM and SJD made substantial enhancement to it. All the authors approved the final manuscript.

Availability of supporting data

Supporting data are available in an open access repository (LabArchives). They include all the transcribed verbatim, in French. Data are available at the following URL: https://mynotebook.labarchives.com/share/Cismef%2520/MjAuOHw2NDQ3MS8xNi9UcmVlTm9kZS8yMTU1NzkwODQ4fDUyLjg=.

Summary points

What was already known on the topic

  • GPs’ face a wide range of clinical situations during their practice. Nevertheless, despite the use of online information sources, some clinical questions remain unanswered.

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the residents and GPs who took part at this study. The authors are grateful to Nikki Sabourin-Gibbs, Rouen University Hospital, for reviewing the manuscript in English.

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