Use of online resources while using a clinical information system.
BACKGROUND
Clinical information system (CIS) use is likely to evoke information needs, yet information resources use during CIS use has not been studied.


METHODS
We used CIS log files and a survey to characterize clinicians' use of resources and infobuttons (context-sensitive links from a CIS to specific resources) while using a CIS.


RESULTS
We examined 38,763 uses of resources and infobuttons by 2,607 users to identify specific sources and contexts (CIS functions) in which they used them. Laboratory results review was the most frequent context and Micromedex was the most popular resource. Differences in resource use were related to context and user type. The survey confirmed that resources and infobuttons were perceived as useful for patient-specific questions while using a CIS.


CONCLUSIONS
Understanding context- and user-type-specific information needs can guide the development of infobuttons for use in a CIS.
Cimino
James J
JJ
Department of Medical Informatics, Columbia University, New York, New York, USA.
Li
Jianhua
J
Graham
Mark
M
Currie
Leanne M
LM
Allen
Mureen
M
Bakken
Suzanne
S
Patel
Vimla L
VL
D019411:Clinical Laboratory Techniques; D003625:Data Collection; D016206:Databases, Bibliographic / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006751:Hospital Information Systems; D007255:Information Services / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D020407:Internet; D016347:Medical Records Systems, Computerized; D009862:Online Systems / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D018511:Systems Integration; D014584:User-Computer Interface