Perceptions of resident doctors on how digital clinical decision support influences decisions on use of resources

There is a growing interest in the use of digital learning and clinical decision support (CDS) in medical education and clinical practice. However, until recently there has been little interest in the potential cost savings that could emerge from the use of digital CDS in clinical practice. This study attempted to fill this gap by asking frontline resident doctors by means of a questionnaire to what extent they value digital CDS resources as a way of saving costs.

We developed a questionnaire to examine the perceptions of frontline resident doctors on CDS use. Topics explored included the use of CDS to save costs by avoiding unnecessary interventions; if and how CDS assisted with decision making, and barriers and enablers to achieving these outcomes. We emailed the questionnaire to frontline resident doctors.

A total of 170 resident doctors were invited to participate in the study, with 105 completing the questionnaire (response rate 62%). Resident doctors are doctors who are in postgraduate training, but who have not yet achieved consultant status. A total of 42 respondents (40%) agreed or strongly agreed that CDS helped them avoid unnecessary referrals. Overall, 32 respondents (31%) agreed or strongly agreed that using the resource helped them reduce length of stay in hospital. A total of 44 respondents (42%) agreed or strongly agreed that using the resource helped them avoid unnecessary admissions. 76 respondents (72%) agreed or strongly agreed that CDS helped them avoid unnecessary investigations or treatments.

The findings from this study show that some resident doctors can use CDS to reduce resource use. Resident doctors may find CDS a supportive tool to assist decision making and so to avoid some unnecessary tests and treatments.