The information-seeking behaviour of paediatricians accessing web-based resources.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the information-seeking behaviours of paediatricians in answering every-day clinical queries.


METHODS
A questionnaire was distributed to every hospital-based paediatrician (paediatric registrar and consultant) working in Ireland.


RESULTS
The study received 156 completed questionnaires, a 66.1% response. 67% of paediatricians utilised the internet as their first "port of call" when looking to answer a medical question. 85% believe that web-based resources have improved medical practice, with 88% reporting web-based resources are essential for medical practice today. 93.5% of paediatricians believe attempting to answer clinical questions as they arise is an important component in practising evidence-based medicine. 54% of all paediatricians have recommended websites to parents or patients. 75.5% of paediatricians report finding it difficult to keep up-to-date with new information relevant to their practice.


CONCLUSIONS
Web-based paediatric resources are of increasing significance in day-to-day clinical practice. Many paediatricians now believe that the quality of patient care depends on it. Information technology resources play a key role in helping physicians to deliver, in a time-efficient manner, solutions to clinical queries at the point of care.
Prendiville
T W
TW
Our Lady's Children's Hospital, Crumlin, Dublin, Ireland. tprendi1@jhmi.edu
Saunders
J
J
Fitzsimons
J
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001292:Attitude to Computers; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D007494:Ireland; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010372:Pediatrics / Q000193:education*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires