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Use of MEDLINE by physicians for clinical problem solving
D A Lindberg1, E R Siegel, B A Rapp
1National Library of Medicine, Bethesda, MD 20894.
JAMA
|June 23, 1993
Summary
Computer-mediated searches of the biomedical literature significantly impact physician decision-making and patient care. Accessing information via MEDLINE is critical for effective clinical practice and improved patient outcomes.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Health Services Research
- Biomedical Information Science
Background:
- Physicians require timely access to biomedical literature for informed decision-making.
- The impact of computer-mediated literature searching on clinical practice is not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate how computer-mediated searching of the biomedical literature influences patient care and professional activities.
- To determine the practical difference online access to the National Library of Medicine's MEDLINE database makes in physicians' approaches to medical problems.
Main Methods:
- An adaptation of the Critical Incident Technique was employed.
- Detailed reports of MEDLINE search experiences were collected from physicians.
- Systematic analysis of 1,158 reports from 552 professionals via telephone interviews.
Main Results:
- Comprehensive inventories detailing search motivations, impact on professional decisions/actions, and outcomes were generated.
- Physicians utilize MEDLINE searches for diverse clinical information needs.
- Search results directly influenced physician actions and patient care situations.
Conclusions:
- MEDLINE searches are integral to meeting physicians' clinical information needs.
- Rapid access to biomedical literature via MEDLINE is crucial for sound patient care.
- Effective use of MEDLINE positively influences patient outcomes.