Personal, technical and organisational factors affect whether physicians seek answers to clinical questions during patient care: a literature review

Abstract

Background Numerous questions are generated for physicians during patient care. Facilitators and barriers affect the physicians' clinical information-seeking behaviour. While most health studies have focused on barriers, few have dealt with facilitators. Objective This review aimed to identify facilitators in physicians' information-seeking behaviour to help respond to clinical questions raised during patient care. Methods A narrative review was conducted, and 9 databases were searched. Selection criteria included original articles in the context of patient care and full-text articles published in the English language from 2002 to 2019. The articles were selected and analysed by group discussions. Results Analysis of studies disclosed personal, technical and organisational facilitators including 26 themes. Internet utilisation and information searching skills, more available time, personal interests and knowing preferred sites or textbooks were among the personal factors. The most common technical factors included providing navigation support, and ease of searching and finding needed information. The most commonly reported factors at the organisational level are closeness to Internet facility and access during the consultation. Conclusion Information systems designers, health service managers and librarians may need to work together to provide systems and settings that encourage doctors to seek information to answer their clinical questions during patient care.