Information-seeking trends of medical professionals and students from middle-income countries: a focus on the Philippines.
Gavino AI, Ho BL, Wee PA, Marcelo AB, Fontelo P
Health Info Libr J. 2013 Dec;30(4):303-17. doi: 10.1111/hir.12032. Epub 2013 Jul 23.
Abstract:
BACKGROUND Increased emphasis has been given to the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) worldwide. Access to quality health information is essential to the practice of EBM in developing countries. OBJECTIVES To understand the information needs and sources of information of physicians from low- and middle-income countries (LMICs). METHODS Medical doctors and students participated in an 18-question online or paper study. RESULTS Of the 156 respondents from six LMICs, 146 (94%) came from the Philippines. Eighty-eight per cent encountered at least one clinical question daily, while 58% were very likely to search for answers. A basic mobile phone was the most used device at home (94%) and at work (82%). More than half had Internet connectivity at home (62%) and just under half at work (46%). In decreasing order, short messaging services (SMS), email, instant messaging and multimedia messaging services (MMS) were the most commonly used messaging tools at home and at work. The primary source for medication questions was a formulary, but for diagnostic dilemmas, colleagues were consulted first. PubMed use was high for therapy and management questions. CONCLUSION The use of health information from the Internet through mobile devices may be increasing. Access to health information was higher at home than at work. These results may be useful when planning resources for healthcare givers in resource-poor settings. © 2013 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2013 Health Libraries Group.
Gavino AI, Ho BL, Wee PA, Marcelo AB, Fontelo P. Information-seeking trends of medical professionals and students from middle-income countries: a focus on the Philippines.
Health Info Libr J. 2013 Dec;30(4):303-17. doi: 10.1111/hir.12032. Epub 2013 Jul 23.
PMID