Prevalence and Utilization Patterns of Digital Medical Resources in Clinical Practice Among Family Medicine...

Background The integration of digital medical resources has become increasingly important in supporting evidence-based clinical decision-making. In the context of Saudi Arabia's healthcare transformation, understanding how family physicians utilize these resources during routine clinical practice remains limited. Objective To assess the prevalence, usage patterns, motivations, and perceived barriers related to the use of digital clinical information and decision-support resources during clinic hours among board-certified family medicine physicians working in Riyadh Health Clusters 1, 2, and 3. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted between January and May 2025 among board-certified family medicine physicians in Riyadh Health Clusters 1, 2, and 3. Data were collected via a self-administered electronic survey distributed during structured site visits. Descriptive statistics and chi-square analyses were performed to examine associations between digital resource utilization and participant demographics. Results A total of 96 participants were included. The majority were aged 25-34 years (n = 61, 63.5%), and most were senior registrars (n = 52, 54.2%). Daily digital resource use was reported by 43 participants (44.8%), with UpToDate being the most utilized resource (n = 36, 37.5%), followed by AMBOSS (n = 19, 19.8%). Access to updated clinical information (n = 55, 57.3%) and improved decision-making (n = 37, 38.5%) were the primary motivations for usage. Younger age, fewer years of clinical experience, and job position were significantly associated with a higher frequency of digital resource utilization (p < 0.05). While most participants perceived positive impacts on clinical efficiency and patient outcomes, barriers such as workflow disruptions, time constraints, and financial limitations were identified. Conclusion Digital medical resources are widely integrated into clinical practice among family medicine physicians in the Riyadh Health Clusters. Utilization patterns vary by physician demographics, with younger and less experienced physicians demonstrating greater reliance. Institutional support, accessibility, and continuous professional development are essential for optimizing digital resource integration into family medicine practice.