Low-income Countries' Orthopaedic Information Needs: Challenges and Opportunities

Doughty, Kathryn; Rothman, Linda; Johnston, Luke; Le, Kim; Wu, Joanna; Howard, Andrew

doi:10.1007/s11999-010-1365-x

Cited by 14 publications

(11 citation statements)

References 9 publications

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“…A key benefit of this model is that information will be easily accessible to researchers. In developed countries where many researchers have a wealth of access to research owing to their institutional subscriptions this may not be of great importance, however in low-income countries this freedom of access to information is invaluable [11]. Whether an OA model is actually cost effective to governments and research bodies remains a controversial topic [20].…”

Section: Implications Of Study Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Critics often highlight the irony of sparing taxpayers the cost of reading research that they have funded, whilst at the same time using more of their taxes to pay for publication costs [10]. Although the benefits of OA publishing have been suggested in relation to providing orthopaedic information and research within low-income countries [11], concerns and perceptions about its effect on the quality of research have yet to be explored. In light of a number of orthopaedic publications that have examined and reported on research quality as well as bibliometrics [12][13][14], it is surprising that such an intense debate within the medical research community [15] has yet to result in an evaluation of OA publishing in orthopaedics.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Open access publishing: a study of current practices in orthopaedic research

Sabharwal

Patel

Johal

2014

International Orthopaedics (SICOT)

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Background Open access (OA) publications have changed the paradigm of dissemination of scientific research. Their benefits to low-income countries underline their value; however, critics question exorbitant publication fees as well as their effect on the peer review process and research quality. Purpose This study reports on the prevalence of OA publishing in orthopaedic research and compares benchmark citation indices as well as evidence quality derived from OA journals with conventional subscription based orthopaedic journals. Methods All 63 orthopaedic journals listed in ISI's Web of Knowledge Journal Citation Report (JCR) were examined. Bibliometric data attributed to each journal for the year 2012 was acquired from the JCR. Studies that fulfilled the criteria of level I evidence were identified for each journal within PubMed. Individual journal websites were reviewed to identify their open access policy. A total of 38 (60.3 %) journals did not offer any form of OA publishing; however, 20 (31.7 %) hybrid journals were identified which offered authors the choice to publish their work as OA if a publication fee was paid. Only five (8 %) journals published all their articles as OA. There was variability amongst the different publication fees for OA articles. Journals that published OA articles did not differ from subscription based journals on the basis of 2012 impact factor, citation number, self citation proportion or the volume of level I evidence published (p>0.05).Conclusions OA journals are present in orthopaedic research, though in small numbers. Over a third of orthopaedic journals catalogued in the ISI Web of Knowledge JCR® are hybrid journals that provide authors with the opportunity to publish their articles as OA after a publication fee is paid. This study suggests equivalent importance and quality of articles between OA and subscription based orthopaedic journals based on bibliometric data and the volume of level I evidence produced. Orthopaedic researchers must recognize the potential benefits of OA publishing and its emerging presence within the field. Further examination and consensus is required in orthopaedic research to generate an OA system that is robustly regulated and maintains research quality.

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Section: Implications Of Study Findingsmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Open access publishing: a study of current practices in orthopaedic research

Sabharwal

Patel

Johal

2014

International Orthopaedics (SICOT)

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“…Several studies from developed countries have characterised the general information‐seeking behaviour among health professionals; however, few studies exist for developing countries . A recent review of Internet‐based information‐seeking behaviour among clinicians from Western countries described how most of them still preferred to consult with colleagues as their first source of information.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Information‐seeking trends of medical professionals and students from middle‐income countries: a focus on the Philippines

Gavino

Wee

et al. 2013

Health Info Libraries J

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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.

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“…Support for local or regional conferences, exchange of residents and faculty, and mentorship provide connections for additional training through fellowships and observerships. The internet provides a powerful tool that allows for instant communication, information exchange, and educational opportunities [6]. An emphasis on exchange rather than a one-way flow of knowledge is crucial.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%