Increasing utilization of Internet-based resources following efforts to promote evidence-based medicine: a national study in Taiwan

Abstract

BackgroundSince the beginning of 2007, the National Health Research Institutes has been promoting the dissemination of evidence-based medicine (EBM). The current study examined longitudinal trends of behaviors in how hospital-based physicians and nurses have searched for medical information during the spread of EBM.MethodsCross-sectional postal questionnaire surveys were conducted in nationally representative regional hospitals of Taiwan thrice in 2007, 2009, and 2011. Demographic data were gathered concerning gender, age, working experience, teaching appointment, academic degree, and administrative position. Linear and logistic regression models were used to examine predictors and changes over time.ResultsData from physicians and nurses were collected in 2007 (n = 1156), 2009 (n = 2975), and 2011 (n = 3999). There were significant increases in the use of four Internet-based resources – Web portals, online databases, electronic journals, and electronic books – across the three survey years among physicians and nurses (p < 0.001). Access to textbooks and printed journals, however, did not change over the 4-year study period. In addition, there were significant relationships between the usage of Internet-based resources and users’ characteristics. Age and faculty position were important predictors in relation to the usage among physicians and nurses, while academic degree served as a critical factor among nurses only.ConclusionsPhysicians and nurses used a variety of sources to look for medical information. There was a steady increase in use of Internet-based resources during the diffusion period of EBM. The findings highlight the importance of the Internet as a prominent source of medical information for main healthcare professionals.

IT‐based clinical knowledge management in primary health care: A conceptual framework

“…It mainly refers to the depth and breadth of knowledge available on the Internet, especially through Web 2.0 technologies, which enable the medical practice to scan its knowledge environment for ways and means to improve its clinical processes and performance (Sairamesh et al, 2011;Shen, 2012;Skinner, 2008). Importantly, e-health care intelligence solutions enable medical practices to acquire evidence-based medical information (Metzger & Flanagin, 2011;Pittler, Mavergames, Ernst, & Antes, 2011;Weng et al, 2013) such as clinical guidance systems for supportive care in diabetes (Sağlam & Temizel, 2014) and cancer (Van Erps et al, 2010). A second form of e-learning capability is called e-training, that is, the ability of the medical practice to provide Web-based support for the continuing medical education of its physicians and nurses (Baker, Kamke, O 0 Hara, & Stuart, 2009;Casebeer et al, 2010;Chu & Robey, 2008;Robson, 2009;Samuelson et al, 2014;Stoner, Mikko, & Carpenter, 2014).…”

Assessment of Attitudes, Skills and Source of Knowledge on Utilization of EBP Among Registered Nurses in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University, Changsha, China

“…However, evidence suggests that nurses in China are still facing a number of significant challenge in utilization and implementation of Evidence based practice [31]. Most Chinese nurses still could not get the up-to-date and high-quality scientific evidences efficiently and conveniently [32].…”

Global health opportunities within pediatric subspecialty fellowship training programs: surveying the virtual landscape

“…The specific six pediatric subspecialties were selected for their known potential contributions to global health, and because combined they account for at least 50% of pediatric subspecialty fellowship training programs and 60% of all pediatric subspecialty fellows [12]. Programs were identified by the online ACGME-accredited program specialty database and compared between years 2008 and 2011.…”

“…Within traditional pediatric subspecialty fellowship training programs, however, the extent of global health opportunities remains unknown, despite that 40% of annual US graduating pediatric residents choose to subspecialize [12]. …”