Group differences in physician responses to handheld presentation of clinical evidence: a verbal protocol analysis
2007

Physician Preferences for Handheld Clinical Evidence Presentation

Sample size: 47 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Lottridge Danielle M, Chignell Mark, Danicic-Mizdrak Romana, Pavlovic Nada J, Kushniruk Andre, Straus Sharon E

Primary Institution: University of Toronto

Hypothesis

Different types of physicians have varying needs and preferences for the presentation of clinical evidence on handheld devices.

Conclusion

Different types of physicians have different needs and preferences for evidence-based resources and handheld devices.

Supporting Evidence

  • Family physicians preferred the screen size of the tablet computer and were less concerned about its portability.
  • Residents liked the screen size of the tablet, but preferred the portability of the pocketPC.
  • Internists liked the portability of the pocketPC, but saw less advantage to the large screen of the tablet computer.

Takeaway

Doctors like different things when using tablets and pocket computers to find medical information. Some prefer bigger screens, while others want something easy to carry.

Methodology

Semi-structured interviews and usability testing with verbal protocol analysis.

Limitations

The sample size of 47 physicians is too small to confirm subgroup differences in the entire population.

Participant Demographics

{"mean_age":42.6,"gender_distribution":{"male":31,"female":16},"specialty_distribution":{"family_physician":17,"general_internist":17,"medical_resident":13},"practice_setting":{"urban":37,"semi-urban":10}}

Statistical Information

P-Value

0.012

Statistical Significance

p = .012

Digital Object Identifier (DOI)

10.1186/1472-6947-7-22

Want to read the original?

Access the complete publication on the publisher's website

View Original Publication