Table 2.
Characteristics of quantitative studies.
| Author (Reference) | Aims | Data collection | Recruitment and sample sizea | Main outcomes | Type of information |
| Andrews et al 2005 [47] | Assess information-seeking behaviors and preferences of clinicians | Cross-sectional survey | Network; PCPsb=41 | Use of and barriers to information resources | Mixed |
| Bennett et al 2005 [48] | Assess the way FPsc use the internet to look for clinical information and how patterns vary from other specialists | Fax survey | Fax database; FPs=457 | Usefulness of internet as information resource; search pattern compared with other specialties | Internet information |
| Bernard et al 2012 [49] | Describe characteristics of GPsd using the internet for clinical information search to identify barriers and facilitators to internet use | Cross-sectional survey | Online questionnaire; FPs=721 | Internet use for clinical information; obstacles and facilitators for internet use | Internet information |
| Bjerre et al 2013 [50] | Assess feasibility of using information generated in the context of what could become a “routine” clinical information source | Collection of clinical questions (secondary analysis) | Adjacent study; PCPs=82 | Description of type and frequency questions asked (secondary analysis) | Clinical questions |
| Butzlaff et al 2002 [51] | Demands of GPs toward CMEe media, the used CME sources, and their efficacy | Survey | Database; FPs=72 | Amount of GPs knowledge acquired after studies. Requirements of GPs toward CME. Sources of GPs’ CME. Efficacy of CME. Significance of the internet. | CME media and internet information |
| Ciarlo et al 2016 [52] | Identify the specific needs of oncologists and GPs attending cancer patients | Survey | Database; GPs=147 | Information sources; questions frequently asked; dealing with uncertainty; satisfaction with information; information seeking and time spent; information needs for specific topics | Mixed |
| Cogdill et al 2000 [53] | Investigate information needs and information seeking in primary care practices serving as educational sites | Interview with follow-up | University; PCPs=15 | Frequencies and categories of questions generated during patient encounter | Clinical questions |
| Davies 2011 [21]f | Determine information needs of physicians | Survey | Professional bodies; PCPs=256 | Information needs. Frequency of formulated questions. Use of computers. Preference in locating evidence. Barriers in accessing electronic information. | Electronic information |
| Denny et al 2015 [54] | Investigate the use of e-resources within the GPs’ education and training sector | Survey | Organizations; GPs=119 | Personal and professional characteristics associated with use of e-resources. Preferred sources. Frequency of use. Factors relevant in selection and use. | E-resources |
| Dwairy et al 2011 [55] | Explore optimal foraging theory to understand information-seeking behavior of GPs, measure costs, and benefits of information-seeking decisions | Logbook and questionnaire | Within region; GPs=115 | Time spent on addressing search for clinical information; preferred information source; success in search | Mixed |
| Ebell et al 2011 [56] | Identify clinical questions health care professionals have and explore whether questions could be used to drive needs assessment for clinical education programs | Collection of clinical questions (observation and survey) | Personal contact and academic; PCPs=25 | Description of type and frequency questions asked | Clinical questions |
| Koller et al 2001 [57] | Clarify reasons for not consulting the internet and identify alternative sources of information for problem solving during patient care | Cross-sectional survey | Database; PCPs=1103 | Internet access and use; reasons for not using | Internet information |
| Kortekaas et al 2015 [58] | Determine how often and how GP trainees search for answers to clinical queries encountered in daily clinical practice | Logs | University; GP trainees=76 | Number of clinical queries and answers pursued and retrieved; outcome on decision making; resources used | Mixed |
| Kostagiolas et al 2015 [59] | Explore the information-seeking behavior of GPs and their attitudes toward participatory medicine | Survey | Organization; GP=174 | Information needs and sources; obstacles when seeking information; perception of participatory medicine | Mixed |
| Kosteniuk et al 2013 [60] | Determine information resources of FPs to update general medical knowledge and make clinical decisions | Cross-sectional survey | Database; FPs=331 | Information sources used and found to be most accessible and relevant to needs | Mixed |
| Kritz et al 2013 [61]g | Provide insight on the professional internet use among different subgroups of physicians | Survey | Mixed promotion; GPs=89 | Use of online resources; time spent on searches; rate of success; barriers of finding information; search tools | Internet information |
| Le et al 2016 [62] | Assess GPs’ information-seeking behavior, perceived importance of medical information sources and associations with GPs characteristics | Cross-sectional survey | Organizations; GPs=1580 | Frequency of use; perceived importance; associations between GP characteristics and use and importance | Mixed |
| MacWalter et al 2016 [63] | Determine how GPs use online resources in support of their continuing professional development | Cross-sectional survey | Via email; GPs=383 | Internet usage and reasons for use; intergroup comparisons | Internet information |
| Magin et al 2015 [64] | Establish prevalence and associations of GP trainees in consultation information seeking | Cross-sectional survey | Adjacent study; GP trainees=654 | In-consultation information seeking from human or nonhuman source | Mixed |
| Magin et al 2017 [65] | Establish prevalence and associations of GP trainees generation of learning goals | Cross-sectional survey | Adjacent study; GP trainees=1124 | Generation of learning goals | Clinical questions |
| Magrabi et al 2008 [66] | Determine long-term use of an online evidence system in routine clinical practice | Prospective study (data collection via computer log) | N/A; GPs=59 | Usage pattern and user group analysis | Online tool |
| Ruf et al 2008 [67] | Examine GPs’ attitudes toward and use of the internet and online CME | Survey | Adjacent study; random sample GPs=351 | Internet use and importance; frequency and effectiveness of CME | Internet information (CME aspect) |
| Schwartz et al 2003 [68] | Determine if FP faculty answer their questions using online resources and the proportions of answers that influenced patient care | Prospective study (data collection via computer log) | Practice center; GPs=3 | Characteristics of questions generated and answered; search time; resources used; barriers to use | Internet information |
| Vollmar et al 2008 [69] | Gain understanding of PCPs’ learning media preferences | Survey with follow-up | Postal; PCPs=57 | Resources used for CME and effectiveness; demands toward CME media | CME media |
| Vollmar et al 2009 [70] | Gain understanding of GPs’ preferences for different forms of educational media that will meet CME needs | Survey | Adjacent study; PCPs=264 | Internet access and utilization; requirements toward CME media | CME media |
aSample size describes family physician staff included. If mixed personnel were surveyed or addressed, nonphysicians were excluded from the description and analysis.
bPCP: primary care physician or practitioner.
cFP: family physician.
dGP: general physician.
eCME: continuous medical education.
fThis survey also included a short literature review but was not excluded from the analysis.
gIn these studies, family physicians did not make up at least 50% of the population. However, the studies compared different groups of doctors and were included in the analysis to evaluate the potential differences between family physicians and other specialties. There was heterogeneity in the studies regarding the term family physician, general practitioner, or primary care practitioner. We decided to use the term of the original study rather than trying to find a common definition of family physicians for different studies. Types of information grouping were performed by medium or source. Due to a lack of one common definition for the information medium or sources among studies, we summarized those studies sharing a comparable or similar definition. However, some studies needed to be grouped by the addressed content rather than the analyzed medium itself.