JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Healthcare providers (HCP) routinely need to address questions concerning the medications they are utilizing. There are numerous resources available for their utilization; however, each has advantages and disadvantages associated with them.

Objective:

The purpose of this survey was to gain knowledge of the preferred methods and sources HCPs use to obtain information concerning medications.

Methods:

A total of 511 HCPs (202 physicians, 105 clinical pharmacists, 100 advance practice nurses, 53 registered nursed, and 51 physician assistants) were surveyed through a third-party market research firm. All participants were practicing in the United States. Individuals working for a pharmaceutical company were excluded. The survey included demographics, frequency of searching medical information, types of questions searched, sources of medical information, and rationale for preferred and non-preferred sources of medical information. Utilization of medical information resources were rated on a 5-point ordinal scale. Descriptive statistics were utilized.

Results:

Of the 511 respondents, 452 (88%) searched for medical information either daily or several times per week. The most common questions were dosing and administration, drug-drug interactions, adverse events and safety, clinical practice guidelines, and disease state information. The main rationale for using a specific medical websites/applications and general online search engines frequently or very frequently was ease of use 76% and 87%, respectively. Accuracy was the main rationale for medical literature search database (67%), prescribing labels/information (57%), and professional literature (62%). The main reason for rarely or never using specific medical websites/applications and medical literature search database, 33% and 45% respectively, was unfamiliarity; for general online search engines (63%), inaccuracy; and for prescribing labels or information and professional literature (53%; 62%), takes too long, The pharmaceutical company was used sometimes for medical information. When the medical information department was used, the call center and the website were considered thorough and complete (56% and 71%); however, the limitations included takes too long (58%) or unfamiliarity with the website (48%).

Conclusions:

The driving forces in the selection of resources is accuracy and ease of use. There is an opportunity to increase awareness of all the appropriate resources for HCPs which may aid in their daily clinical decisions. Specifically, pharmaceutical company medical information departments can help fulfill this need by addressing two major challenges: lack of awareness of medical information services and the speed at which responses are disseminated. Overall, there is lack of understanding or appreciation of the range of pathways to obtain published and knowledge of pharmaceutical company medical information services. Amongst the many challenges the next generation data champions will face, making reputable data readily accessible will be critical to help shape the future of patient outcomes.