title: Using a Simulated Infobutton Linked to an Evidence-Based Resource to Research Drug-Drug Interactions: A Pilot Study with Third-Year Dental Students.
abstract: Many health professions students and clinicians are using evidence-based databases that allow for quicker and more accurate clinical decisions. The aims of this pilot study were to compare third-year dental students' speed and accuracy in researching questions about drug-drug interactions (DDI) when using two different methods: a simulated infobutton linked to the evidence-based clinical decision support resource UpToDate versus traditional Internet resources accessed through a computer or smart device. Students researched two simulated cases during two sessions. In the first session, half the students used the infobutton, while the other half used traditional electronic tools only. In the second session, ten days later, a cross-over took place. The sessions were timed, and after researching the case, students answered three questions on the use of antibiotics, analgesics, and local anesthetics. Of the 50 students who volunteered for the study, two were excluded, and 44 participated in both sessions and the exam. The results showed that the students took a similar amount of time to identify DDI whether they used the infobutton (mean=286.5 seconds) or traditional tools (265.2 seconds); the difference was not statistically significant (p=0.429). Their scores using the two research methods were similar in all three content areas: antibiotics (p=0.797), analgesics (p=0.850), and local anesthetics (p=0.850). In a post-intervention survey, students were generally favorable about infobutton and UpToDate, reporting the tool was easy to use (62.5%), provided the answer they were looking for (53.1%), was fast (50%), and they would use it again (68.8%). This pilot study found that the time and accuracy of these students conducting DDI research with the infobutton and UpToDate were about the same as using traditional Internet resources.
authors.affiliation: Dr. Dragan is Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Newman is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry; Dr. Stark is Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Steffensen is Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; and Dr. Karimbux is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine. irina.dragan@tufts.edu.
authors.forename: Irina F
authors.initials: IF
authors.lastname: Dragan
authors.affiliation: Dr. Dragan is Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Newman is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry; Dr. Stark is Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Steffensen is Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; and Dr. Karimbux is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Newman
authors.affiliation: Dr. Dragan is Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Newman is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry; Dr. Stark is Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Steffensen is Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; and Dr. Karimbux is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
authors.forename: Paul
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Stark
authors.affiliation: Dr. Dragan is Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Newman is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry; Dr. Stark is Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Steffensen is Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; and Dr. Karimbux is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
authors.forename: Bjorn
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Steffensen
authors.affiliation: Dr. Dragan is Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Newman is Professor Emeritus, University of California, Los Angeles School of Dentistry; Dr. Stark is Adjunct Professor, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Steffensen is Professor and Chair, Department of Periodontology, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine; and Dr. Karimbux is Professor and Associate Dean for Academic Affairs, Tufts University School of Dental Medicine.
authors.forename: Nadeem
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Karimbux
mesh_terms: D000700:Analgesics / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000779:Anesthetics, Local / Q000008:administration & dosage; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003194:Computer-Assisted Instruction; D018592:Cross-Over Studies; D020000:Decision Support Systems, Clinical; D004347:Drug Interactions; D004497:Education, Dental; D057286:Electronic Health Records; D055094:Evidence-Based Dentistry / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D020407:Internet; D010549:Personal Satisfaction; D010865:Pilot Projects; D013335:Students, Dental / Q000523:psychology; D013997:Time Factors
chemical_list: D000700:Analgesics; D000779:Anesthetics, Local; D000900:Anti-Bacterial Agents
keywords: computer-assisted instruction; dental education; drug-drug interactions; electronic health record; evidence-based dentistry; health information technology; infobutton; information management; patient care management; patient safety