At the time of the study Rachel Esson was Medical Librarian at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
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Evidence-based information-seeking skills of junior doctors entering the workforce: an evaluation of the impact of information literacy training during pre-clinical years
Article first published online: 8 APR 2011
DOI: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00933.x
© 2011 The authors. Health Information and Libraries Journal © 2011 Health Libraries Group
Additional Information
How to Cite
Cullen, R., Clark, M. and Esson, R. (2011), Evidence-based information-seeking skills of junior doctors entering the workforce: an evaluation of the impact of information literacy training during pre-clinical years. Health Information & Libraries Journal, 28: 119–129. doi: 10.1111/j.1471-1842.2011.00933.x
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At the time of the study Rachel Esson was Medical Librarian at the Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences.
Publication History
- Issue published online: 12 MAY 2011
- Article first published online: 8 APR 2011
- Received 26 August 2010; Accepted 17 February 2011
- Abstract
- Article
- References
- Cited By
Keywords:
- doctors;
- education and training;
- evidence-based practice;
- literacy;
- information;
- research;
- qualitative
Abstract
Objectives: To investigate the extent to which junior doctors in their first clinical positions retained information literacy skills taught as part of their undergraduate education.
Method: Participants drawn from different training cohorts were interviewed about their recall of the instruction they had received, and their confidence in retrieving and evaluating information for clinical decision making. They completed a search based on a scenario related to their speciality. Their self-assessment of their competency in conducting and evaluating a search was compared with an evaluation of their skills by an experienced observer.
Results: Most participants recalled the training they received but had not retained high-level search skills, and lacked skills in identifying and applying best evidence. There was no apparent link between the type of training given and subsequent skill level. Those whose postgraduate education required these skills were more successful in retrieving and appraising information.
Conclusion: Commitment to evidence-based medicine from clinicians at all levels in the profession is needed to increase the information seeking skills of clinicians entering the work force.