P02S05: Herpes
Bottom line: Information on herpes was used to maintain the management
of a patient (antiviral medication). There were no information-related patient
health outcomes.
Level 1 outcome (situational relevance): On May 9, 2008, P02 did a search at work, with a student, and during
an encounter with a patient. They retrieved two information hits about Famvir. The reported search objectives were: to address a
clinical question, and to search in general or for curiosity. “This
teenager [male, 17 years old] came with a suspicious rash that looked herpetic,
like it looks like it could be a viral herpes-type rash and we had biopsied it
as well as consulted with pediatric dermatology in the city, and they had
suggested to do Famvir. […] [I was] looking at the management of this viral
rash [dosing, warning and precautions, and adverse reactions]. […] I think just
again to learn from, maybe not just totally specific at that patient but that
there's a learning point as well.” According to P02, the information from e-Therapeutics+
was in agreement with and equally relevant to the information from another
professional (dermatologist). “That person [the dermatologist] is the one who
suggested using this drug.”
Level 2 outcome (cognitive impact): One hit was associated with a report of positive cognitive impact (see table). Regarding practice
improvement, P02 stated: “I guess [my practice will be changed and improved
in terms of] knowing what medicine to pick in that situation. […] [I will be]
maybe more apt to choose that drug [Famvir], more familiar with it; and then sort of
the indication for it being used (regarding all hits).”
Retrieved
information hit(s):
1) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): e-CPS tab – Famvir – dosage under
herpes zoster infections (P02S05H01)
2) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): e-CPS tab – Famvir – warnings and
precautions & adverse reactions (P02S05H02)
Level 3 outcome
(information use): Information on Famvir was retrieved, and used to maintain (be more
certain about) the management of the patient (information used as presented in
e-Therapeutics+). “Because that [Famvir] was suggested by
the dermatologist and it was confirmed by the website (regarding all hits).”
Level 4 outcome (patient health): Without this information hit, P02’s management of the patient would have been
the same. There were no clear relationships between the use of
information and expected patient health outcomes.
Levels of outcome of information-seeking
|
Situational relevance |
Positive cognitive
impact |
Information use |
Patient health |
|
Address a clinical question Satisfy curiosity |
Practice improved Learned something Confirmed |
Be more certain |
No outcome |