Combating information overload: a six-month pilot evaluation of a knowledge management system in general practice

Area of Science:

• Health Informatics
• Primary Care Technology
• Knowledge Management Systems

Background:

• Electronic knowledge management tools are increasingly important in primary care.
• General practitioners (GPs) require efficient access to information during patient consultations.
• The WAX Active Library is a representative electronic knowledge management tool.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate the usefulness and usability of the WAX Active Library for general practitioners.
• To assess the adoption and usage patterns of the electronic knowledge management tool over a six-month period.

Main Methods:

• A six-month prospective study involving 19 general practitioners.
• Data collection through questionnaires and audit trail analysis.
• Evaluation of system accessibility and user-reported ease of use.

Main Results:

• Peak system usage occurred in the final two months of the study.
• Over 50% of access trails were completed within 40 seconds.
• Most GPs found the WAX Active Library easy to learn, fast to use, and preferable to paper-based resources.

Conclusions:

• Electronic knowledge management tools like the WAX Active Library are valuable for primary care.
• These systems can enhance information sharing, support knowledge officers, and aid demand management.
• The findings suggest potential for wider adoption across primary care groups and networks.