TABLE 2.

Features of key electronic information resources used

Title	Funding and corporate governance	Content	Reported use	Valued features	Perceived limitations
MIMS	Electronic resources funded via subscription fees (as part of prescribing system), commercial	Compendium of regulator approved product information compiled by MIMS	After drug selection for: side effects, drug interactions, contraindications, doses, price, practicalities of prescribing, i.e. trade and generic names, pack sizes and subsidization status	Integrated in prescribing software so easy access, familiar layout, concise, quick, relevant, information on over-the-counter (OTC), non-prescription items	Not for guiding therapy choices, problems for some finding relevant sections—some scrolling through text required
Australian Medicines Handbook (AMH)	Subscription fees, not-for-profit	Drug monographs and comparative drug information	Choice of drug therapy and confirmation of prescribing details after drug selection	Australian, independent of pharmaceutical industry, reputable, clear practice points, concise, relevant, can scan around topic and drug options	Layout unfamiliar to some, not integrated, need to go outside prescribing software, too much information for some, no OTC products
Therapeutic Guidelines	Subscription fees, not-for-profit	Australian clinical practice guidelines for 14 clinical areas (includes antibiotics, psychotropic, neurology, palliative care and cardiovascular)	What to prescribe (drug and duration) for specific clinical conditions, particularly useful for less commonly seen clinical conditions	Australian, independent, reputable, confidence in resource, familiar, clear, simple, easy to use, concise, directive, represents ‘best practice’	Not integrated, need to go outside prescribing software, cost