Use of MEDLINE by physicians for clinical problem solving
Article Abstract:
Physicians are increasingly using information retrieved from MEDLINE in clinical decision-making. MEDLINE is a computerized, bibliographic database with more than 7 million citations from articles published since 1966 in over 3,500 biomedical journals. Previously, MEDLINE was primarily used by academics and researchers. A survey of 552 health professionals who had used MEDLINE either directly or indirectly by requesting library searches found that information was applied to various purposes. It was used in choosing the most appropriate diagnostic test, determining diagnosis, developing and implementing patient treatment plans, providing information to patients, motivating patients to alter their behavior and providing information to insurance agents. Many physicians reported that key information supplied by MEDLINE ultimately improved patient outcomes.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1993
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How Well Do Physicians Use Electronic Information Retrieval Systems?
Article Abstract:
Health sciences librarians are generally more effective than physicians at retrieving information from electronic medical databases. Researchers examined studies assessing the effectiveness of online search strategies in obtaining medical articles relevant to the user's interest. Using databases such as MEDLINE, Library and Information Science (LISA) bibliographies, and other sources, librarians obtained articles 58% relevant to their topic of interest, compared to 49% relevance for material obtained in physician-initiated searches. Database searches often returned no articles, or irrelevant articles, frequently resulting from the incorrect use of subheadings when searching by index terms. Keyword and free-text searching was generally effective and preferred by end-users.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1998
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Medical informatics
Article Abstract:
The most significant development in medical informatics continues to be efforts to develop an electronic patient record. However, this will depend on concurrent efforts to ensure the confidentiality of computer-based information. The National Library of Medicine awarded grants to 19 projects involving electronic patient records and telemedicine. Other developments include a map of the human genome elucidated thus far on the Internet, which includes links to scientific articles and protein sequences. The World Intellectual Property Organization has proposed international treaties covering online information.
Publication Name: JAMA, The Journal of the American Medical Association
Subject: Health
ISSN: 0098-7484
Year: 1997
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