Table 3.

Use of information results of quantitative and mixed methods observational studies

ID	Reference	Quantitative results										Qualitative findings
71	Udezi et al 19	Most used (midpoint=3.5): Index of Essential Medicines	Mean: 4.97	SD: 1.67	Most used: British National Formulary	Mean: 4.91	SD: 1.72	Most used: books	Mean: 4.4	SD: 1.87	n=58	NA
127	Anasi et al 30	Several times a day search the internet for medicine info	n=46	40%	Once a day or fewer search the internet for medicine info	n=61	53%	Never search the internet for medicine info	n=8	7%	n=115	NA
76	Wabe et al 20	Most used: leaflets	n=46	72%	Most used: books	n=40	63%	Most used: formularies and guidelines	n=11	17%	n=64	NA
113	Asmelashe Gelayee et al 21	Most used (sometimes and always combined): books	n=47	98%	Most used: internet	n=46	96%	Most used: national guidelines	n=45	94%	n=48	NA
74	Usanga et al 24	Use of internet for practice	n=28	61%	Most used: Google	n=23	50%	Most used: WHO drug information	n=3	7%	n=46	NA
107	Kamuhabwa and Kisoma22	Routinely search for info to guide prescribing	n=175	91%	Most used: books	n=123	64%	Most used: internet	n=121	63%	n=192	NA
31	Rusatira et al 31	Most used: smartphone for information check	n=67	69%	Daily internet search	n=58	60%	Not satisfied with use of Ministry of Health guidelines	n=55	57%	n=97	‘When interacting with patients, Medscape (preferred by 4 doctors) and UpToDate (preferred by 3 doctors) are the most preferred apps for quick information access. Medscape has an edge over UpToDate partly because it can be accessed offline with limited features whereas UpToDate requires Internet connectivity, which makes it undesirable when on the field mentoring patients.’
95	Graham et al 29	Use flip chart job aid in % of consultations	n=134	25%	Use sick child reporting form in % of consultations	n=177	33%				n=537	‘Although the low utilisation of these tools may be due to the presence of the observer, these data could suggest that the community health workers are confident in their ability to recall the diagnostic algorithm and danger signs, given the high level of adherence to the guidelines.’
21	Samiak and Vince23	Use standard treatment book to check doses	n=97	92%	Use book every day	n=73	69%	Use book for all patients	n=27	25%	n=106	‘Reported reasons for not using the book included: confidence in management without the book, taking too much time, too busy, too many steps to follow, ashamed to use the book in front of patients and finding it hard to use.’

NA, not applicable.