Modelling of physicians' clinical information-seeking behaviour in Iran: a grounded theory study

Area of Science:

• Medical Informatics
• Health Sciences Research
• Information Science

Background:

• Understanding physicians' clinical information-seeking behavior (CISB) is crucial for advancing theoretical frameworks and meeting information needs at the point of care.
• Existing research has explored various facets of CISB, but a comprehensive understanding of its dimensions, interactions, strategies, and determinants remains an area for deeper investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore the dimensions, interactions, strategies, and determinants of clinical information-seeking behavior (CISB) among physicians at the point of care.
• To develop a theoretical framework explaining the process of CISB in clinical settings.

Main Methods:

• A qualitative grounded theory approach was employed, following Strauss and Corbin's methodology.
• Data were collected through semistructured interviews with 21 specialists and subspecialists.
• Analysis involved open, axial, and selective coding to identify themes and a core category.

Main Results:

• Physicians' CISB involves multiple dimensions, including clinical information needs, question characteristics, resource availability, information usability, influencing factors, interaction strategies, and consequences.
• Seven principal themes emerged: 'clinical information needs,' 'clinical question characteristics,' 'clinical information resources,' 'information usability,' 'factors influencing information seeking,' 'action/interaction encountering clinical questions,' and 'consequences of CISB.'
• The core category identified was 'focused attention,' representing the central phenomenon of CISB.

Conclusions:

• The CISB process is interactive and dynamic, influenced by various stimuli that guide physicians' information-seeking strategies.
• Insufficient stimuli can impede physicians' engagement in CISB.
• Understanding CISB is vital for optimizing interventions in information systems, training, and clinical decision support to enhance focused attention and promote CISB among physicians.