title: The Map of Medicine: a review of evidence for its impact on healthcare.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Map of Medicine is an evidence-based online clinical knowledge resource. Procured at significant cost by healthcare providers in the UK, Sweden and Denmark, it is important to establish the beneficial impact that investment has had on healthcare practise and, ultimately, on patient outcomes. The objective of this study is to review the evidence for the impact of the Map of Medicine on clinical practice.
  
  
  METHODS
  A systematic review of peer-reviewed and grey literature was conducted. Nine healthcare databases, Google Scholar and Google were searched for articles containing the terms 'map of medicine'.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The search identified 133 articles. Eleven of the articles identified met the inclusion criteria. The main finding of the study is the paucity of evidence available on the impact of the Map of Medicine and the variable quality of that which does exist. There are some encouraging early indications for the Map of Medicine as a tool within service redesign, leading to an increase in appropriate referrals to secondary care, decreased patient waiting times and considerable cost savings.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Further research with study designs that can generate high quality evidence for the impact of Map of Medicine is essential in order to support policy decisions.
authors.affiliation: Institute of Clinical Education, Peninsula Medical School, Room C409 Portland Square, University of Plymouth, Drake Circus Plymouth PL48AA, UK. nicola.brennan@pms.ac.uk
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Brennan
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Mattick
authors.forename: Tricia
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Ellis
mesh_terms: D035843:Biomedical Research; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003718:Denmark; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000379:methods*; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007993:Libraries, Medical; D013222:State Medicine; D013548:Sweden; D006113:United Kingdom