Comparing UpToDate and PubMed for Patient Care Questions
Author Information
Author(s): Gunther Eysenbach, Farah Magrabi, Frans Meijman, Arjen Hoogendam, Anton FH Stalenhoef, Pieter F de Vries Robbé, A John PM Overbeke
Primary Institution: Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre
Hypothesis
Which information source, UpToDate or PubMed, provides more answers to patient-related questions in daily medical care?
Conclusion
UpToDate is more effective than PubMed in answering patient-related questions during daily medical care.
Supporting Evidence
- UpToDate answered 83% of questions compared to 63% for PubMed.
- Participants spent an average of 241 seconds using UpToDate and 291 seconds using PubMed.
- A complete answer was found in 53% of questions sent to either source.
Takeaway
Doctors can find answers to their questions faster using UpToDate than PubMed, usually in less than 5 minutes.
Methodology
40 residents and 30 internists searched PubMed and UpToDate for answers to patient-related questions, with data recorded on the time taken and the success of the searches.
Potential Biases
Participants may overestimate the quality of the information retrieved.
Limitations
The study was conducted in a single hospital, limiting the generalizability of the results.
Participant Demographics
40 residents and 30 internists in internal medicine.
Statistical Information
P-Value
p<0.001
Statistical Significance
p<0.001
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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