BACKGROUND: Physicians often search for information to improve patient care. We evaluated how nephrologists use online information sources for this purpose. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (2008 to 2010), a random sample of Canadian nephrologists completed a survey of their online search practices. We queried respondents on their searching preferences, practices and use of 9 online information sources. RESULTS: Respondents (n=115; 75% response rate) comprised both academic (59%) and community-based (41%) nephrologists. Respondents were an average of 48 years old and were in practice for an average of 15 years. Nephrologists used a variety of online sources to retrieve information on patient treatment including UpToDate (92%), PubMed (89%), Google (76%) and Ovid MEDLINE (55%). Community-based nephrologists were more likely to consult UpToDate first (91%), while academic nephrologists were divided between UpToDate (58%) and PubMed (41%). When searching bibliographic resources such as PubMed, 80% of nephrologists scan a maximum of 40 citations (the equivalent of 2 search pages in PubMed). Searching practices did not differ by age, sex or years in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrologists routinely use a variety of online resources to search for information for patient care. These include bibliographic databases, general search engines and specialized medical resources.
BACKGROUND: Physicians often search for information to improve patient care. We evaluated how nephrologists use online information sources for this purpose. METHODS: In this cross-sectional study (2008 to 2010), a random sample of Canadian nephrologists completed a survey of their online search practices. We queried respondents on their searching preferences, practices and use of 9 online information sources. RESULTS: Respondents (n=115; 75% response rate) comprised both academic (59%) and community-based (41%) nephrologists. Respondents were an average of 48 years old and were in practice for an average of 15 years. Nephrologists used a variety of online sources to retrieve information on patient treatment including UpToDate (92%), PubMed (89%), Google (76%) and Ovid MEDLINE (55%). Community-based nephrologists were more likely to consult UpToDate first (91%), while academic nephrologists were divided between UpToDate (58%) and PubMed (41%). When searching bibliographic resources such as PubMed, 80% of nephrologists scan a maximum of 40 citations (the equivalent of 2 search pages in PubMed). Searching practices did not differ by age, sex or years in practice. CONCLUSIONS: Nephrologists routinely use a variety of online resources to search for information for patient care. These include bibliographic databases, general search engines and specialized medical resources.
Authors: Salimah Z Shariff; Jessica M Sontrop; R Brian Haynes; Arthur V Iansavichus; K Ann McKibbon; Nancy L Wilczynski; Matthew A Weir; Mark R Speechley; Amardeep Thind; Amit X Garg Journal: CMAJ Date: 2012-01-16 Impact factor: 8.262
Authors: Arthur V Iansavichus; R Brian Haynes; Christopher W C Lee; Nancy L Wilczynski; Ann McKibbon; Salimah Z Shariff; Peter G Blake; Robert M Lindsay; Amit X Garg Journal: Clin J Am Soc Nephrol Date: 2012-08-23 Impact factor: 8.237
Authors: Thomas Agoritsas; Arnaud Merglen; Delphine S Courvoisier; Christophe Combescure; Nicolas Garin; Arnaud Perrier; Thomas V Perneger Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2012-06-12 Impact factor: 5.428
Authors: Salimah Z Shariff; Jessica M Sontrop; Arthur V Iansavichus; R Brian Haynes; Matthew A Weir; Sonja Gandhi; Meaghan S Cuerden; Amit X Garg Journal: Clin Kidney J Date: 2012-11-11
Authors: Salimah Z Shariff; Shayna Ad Bejaimal; Jessica M Sontrop; Arthur V Iansavichus; R Brian Haynes; Matthew A Weir; Amit X Garg Journal: J Med Internet Res Date: 2013-08-15 Impact factor: 5.428