Physicians' information-seeking, appraising, and clinical decision-making practices for drug prescriptions: an exploratory study.

Abstract

Objective: The purpose of this study is to understand the process of physicians' evidence-based clinical decision-making for new drug prescriptions.

Methods: Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic coding was used for data analysis.

Results: Several findings emerged. First, point-of-care information seeking focuses more on accessible and easy-to-use sources, such as medical websites, while out-of-practice searches encompass broader sources such as printed sources and extended networks. Medical websites are becoming preferred sources of information. Second, critical appraisal of information is performed passively by using pre-appraised information sources and referring to professional networks. Third, professional networks (i.e., specialists and senior colleagues) remain essential throughout the process and are pivotal for the decision to change prescription practices.

Conclusions: Medical information systems that facilitate immediate access to summarized reliable evidence and feature real-time connectivity to the communities of practice can be an effective strategy for improving physicians' evidence-based practice for new drug prescriptions.