Biomedical subjects

Robert E Kristofco

Publications and source records attributed to Robert E Kristofco.

2 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2004

Physicians' Internet information-seeking behaviors.

INTRODUCTION: Our understanding about the role of the Internet as a resource for physicians has improved in the past several years with reports of patterns for use and measures of impact on medical practice. The purpose of this study was to begin to shape a theory base for more fully describing physicians' information-seeking behaviors as they apply to Internet use and applications for continuing education providers to more effectively support learning. METHODS: A survey about Internet use and physician information seeking was administered by facsimile transmission to a random sample of 3,347 physicians. RESULTS: Almost all physicians have access to the Internet, and most believe it is important for patient care. The most frequent use is in accessing the latest research on specific topics, new information in a disease area, and information related to a specific patient problem. Critical to seeking clinical information is the credibility of the source, followed by relevance, unlimited access, speed, and ease of use. Electronic media are viewed as increasingly important sources for clinical information, with decreased use of journals and local continuing medical education (CME). Barriers to finding needed information include too much information, lack of specific information, and navigation or searching difficulties. DISCUSSION: The Internet has become an important force in how physicians deliver care. Understanding more about physician information-seeking needs, behaviors, and uses is critical to CME providers to support a self-directed curriculum for each physician. A shift to increased use of electronic CME options points to new demands for users and providers. Specific information about how physicians create a question and search for resources is an area that requires providers to develop new skills.

Attitude of Health Personnel↗

PubMed2004

Standardizing evaluation of on-line continuing medical education: physician knowledge, attitudes, and reflection on practice.

INTRODUCTION: Physicians increasingly earn continuing medical education (CME) credits through on-line courses, but there have been few rigorous evaluations to determine their effects. The present study explores the feasibility of implementing standardized evaluation templates and tests them to evaluate 30 on-line CME courses. METHODS: A time series design was used to compare the knowledge, attitudes, and reported changes in practice of physician participants who completed any of 30 on-line CME courses that were hosted on an academic CME Web site and a CME Web portal during the period from August 1, 2002, through March 31, 2003. Data were collected at baseline, at course completion, and 4 weeks later Paired t tests were used to compare the means of responses across time. RESULTS: U.S. physicians completed 720 post-tests. Quality of content was the characteristic of most importance to participants; too little interaction was the largest source of dissatisfaction. Overall mean knowledge scores increased from 58.1% to 75.6% at post-test and then decreased to 68.2% at 4 weeks following the course. Effect sizes of increased knowledge immediately following the course were larger for case-based than for text-based courses. Nearly all physicians reported making changes in practice following course completion, although reported changes differed from expected changes. CONCLUSIONS: Increases in physician knowledge and knowledge retention were demonstrated following participation in on-line CME courses. The implementation of standardized evaluation tests proved to be feasible and allowed longitudinal evaluation analyses across CME providers and content areas.

Curriculum↗