OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to understand which informational sources pediatric health care providers perceive as most influential in how they stay current with health care innovations. METHODS: Rochester, New York, area pediatric health care providers were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Two items pertained to the health care provider's ability to interpret primary research, and 9 items pertained to the influence and relative importance of various sources of information. RESULTS: A 61% response rate was obtained. Most (83%) respondents felt adequately trained to interpret primary research, fewer (31%) felt they have the time to do so. Almost all respondents (92%) felt that American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines were a major influence, and 44% felt that AAP guidelines were the single most influential source of information in how they altered their practice over time. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of time constraints, and the volume and complexity of published therapeutic research, AAP guidelines are playing an increasing role in knowledge transfer.
OBJECTIVES: The authors sought to understand which informational sources pediatric health care providers perceive as most influential in how they stay current with health care innovations. METHODS: Rochester, New York, area pediatric health care providers were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire. Two items pertained to the health care provider's ability to interpret primary research, and 9 items pertained to the influence and relative importance of various sources of information. RESULTS: A 61% response rate was obtained. Most (83%) respondents felt adequately trained to interpret primary research, fewer (31%) felt they have the time to do so. Almost all respondents (92%) felt that American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) guidelines were a major influence, and 44% felt that AAP guidelines were the single most influential source of information in how they altered their practice over time. CONCLUSIONS: In the setting of time constraints, and the volume and complexity of published therapeutic research, AAP guidelines are playing an increasing role in knowledge transfer.