Related Experiment Videos
Real-time information-seeking behavior of residency physicians
Kathleen Ramos1, Robin Linscheid, Sean Schafer
1University Medical Center, Department of Family and Community Medicine, University of California San Francisco-Fresno Medical Education Program, 93722, USA. Katie.Ramos@ucsfresno.edu
Family Medicine
|May 6, 2003
Summary
Residency physicians frequently have clinical questions but seldom use evidence-based medicine (EBM) resources for answers. Most searches are brief, with many relying on colleagues or pocket references instead of formal EBM sources.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Clinical Practice
Background:
- Practicing physicians infrequently apply evidence-based medicine (EBM).
- Current residents likely received EBM training in medical school.
- Study aimed to assess EBM search behaviors among residents and faculty.
Purpose of the Study:
- Determine time spent by residents and faculty searching for evidence-based answers.
- Inform the design and content of EBM curricula in residency programs.
Main Methods:
- Direct observation of 13 faculty and 25 residents.
- Self-report data collection on clinical questions, sources, search times, and satisfaction.
- Study conducted at UCSF-Fresno Family Practice Residency Program.
Main Results:
- 274 clinical questions were asked across 215 patient encounters (1.3 per encounter).
- Residents generated more questions (1.5/encounter) than faculty (0.8/encounter).
- Immediate answers were sought for 66% of questions, with 87% satisfaction; only 6% were pursued later. Most searches (<2 min) involved colleagues or pocket references.
Conclusions:
- Residency physicians encounter clinical questions regularly.
- Evidence-based sources are infrequently utilized by residents to answer clinical questions.