What resources do Auckland general practitioners use for answering immediate clinical questions and for lifelong learning?

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: General practitioners need to search for evidence to remain up-to-date with knowledge and to answer clinical questions that arise during consultations. In the past their main sources of information have been via colleagues and books. AIM: To determine the resources Auckland GPs use to answer clinical questions and to maintain lifelong learning. METHODS: One hundred questionnaires were mailed to Auckland GPs. There were 33 replies (33% response rate). From this sample 10 were chosen at random and all agreed to be interviewed (100% response rate). RESULTS: All participants were using Internet resources to obtain answers to clinical questions. Colleagues were also important for answering immediate questions, but not for future requirements. There is possibly less use of paper book resources. The websites were used to obtain knowledge now and for future need, while paper books were only used for answering immediate questions. DISCUSSION: The use of websites may be increasing in general practice for both immediate knowledge requirements and for lifelong learning. Colleagues are still a source of answers to immediate clinical questions, but textbooks may be less used. Empiric data are needed to monitor changes in answering clinical questions and the issue of lifelong learning requires more research. KEYWORDS: Education, medical, continuing; family practice; information management; information storage and retrieval; medical informatics; Internet