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

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study is to understand the process of physicians' evidence-based clinical decision-making for new drug prescriptions. Eleven semi-structured interviews were conducted, and thematic coding was used for data analysis. 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

SUBMITTER: Nath A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12369961 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature