Start Date
7-10-2021 11:00 AM
End Date
7-10-2021 11:10 AM
Type of Work
Presentation
Description
Objective:
Since 2006, the University of Tennessee’s Preston Medical Library (PML) has collected survey feedback from exiting residents. One question asks residents which types of articles or sources they use to find information. In this study, we examine responses to this question, assessing the change in resident utilization of resources to better inform future library decisions on instruction and marketing.
Methods:
Surveys were distributed to exiting residents through targeted emails or at the required exit process in the library. The question asked them to select which types of articles or sources they used to find information from among the 16 options currently listed, including an “other” box with free text functionality. The resident can select any number of options. Some options have changed over time as resources have ceased to exist, merged, or been cancelled. Survey results were examined from each year, noting how many times each resource had been selected and the total number of residents taking the survey. Results were compiled by resource usage per year and particular resource usage over the study’s timespan.
Results:
Results indicated changing resident use of PML’s resources. Of note, we found UpToDate usage to be remarkably consistent, with 80% of residents, on average, selecting it every year. Usage of reviews, RCTs, case reports, and practice guidelines generally increased over the survey period while use of Google, colleagues, and librarians modestly decreased.
Conclusions:
Resident resource usage varied over time, demonstrating an encouraging increase in attention to other evidence-based tools. UpToDate’s consistent popularity shows the durability of the product. The increase in resource type (reviews, RCTs, case reports, practice guidelines) selection reflects greater employment of more in-depth resources than merely expert opinion. Survey results will inform future outreach focus.
Medical Resident Resource Use Trends: Looking at the Past to Inform Future Decisions
Objective:
Since 2006, the University of Tennessee’s Preston Medical Library (PML) has collected survey feedback from exiting residents. One question asks residents which types of articles or sources they use to find information. In this study, we examine responses to this question, assessing the change in resident utilization of resources to better inform future library decisions on instruction and marketing.
Methods:
Surveys were distributed to exiting residents through targeted emails or at the required exit process in the library. The question asked them to select which types of articles or sources they used to find information from among the 16 options currently listed, including an “other” box with free text functionality. The resident can select any number of options. Some options have changed over time as resources have ceased to exist, merged, or been cancelled. Survey results were examined from each year, noting how many times each resource had been selected and the total number of residents taking the survey. Results were compiled by resource usage per year and particular resource usage over the study’s timespan.
Results:
Results indicated changing resident use of PML’s resources. Of note, we found UpToDate usage to be remarkably consistent, with 80% of residents, on average, selecting it every year. Usage of reviews, RCTs, case reports, and practice guidelines generally increased over the survey period while use of Google, colleagues, and librarians modestly decreased.
Conclusions:
Resident resource usage varied over time, demonstrating an encouraging increase in attention to other evidence-based tools. UpToDate’s consistent popularity shows the durability of the product. The increase in resource type (reviews, RCTs, case reports, practice guidelines) selection reflects greater employment of more in-depth resources than merely expert opinion. Survey results will inform future outreach focus.