P03S02: Dysmenorrhea
Bottom line: Information on dysmenorrhea was used to maintain the management of the
patient (medication). There were no information-related patient health
outcomes.
Level 1 outcome (situational relevance): On September 3, 2008, P03 did a search at home, by themselves, and
after an encounter with a patient. They retrieved three information hit about
NSAIDs [Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs] and dysmenorrhea. The reported search objectives were: to address a clinical question and
to share the information with a patient or caregiver. “It would have been
someone who came into clinic complaining of dysmenorrhea, and wanting to know
what the best way is to treat it. But we've had a few patients this way, so I
was probably looking up for this specific patient [a 16-year old woman] as well
as for general practice. […] The patient presented
with dysmenorrhea. So it was to specifically treat her. ” According to P03, e-Therapeutics+ was the only source for information,
and the found information was relevant.
Level 2 outcome (cognitive impact): One hit was associated with a report of positive cognitive impact (see table). Regarding practice
improvement, P03 stated: “Because the way that they were suggesting to treat
a patient […] seemed to be a superior way of treating them for dysmenorrhea. I
thought my practice would be improved, as I had current and correct information […] compared to what I didn't know previously or the little
information I had before. […] [I learned] specifically that any NSAIDs could be
used, and they are equally [effective].”
Retrieved information hit(s):
1) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): Therapeutic tab – sexual
health – Figure 1: management of dysmenorrhea (P03S02H01).
2) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): Therapeutic tab – sexual health - dysmenorrhea - Highlight (P03S02H02).
3) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): Therapeutic tab – sexual
health - dysmenorrhea – Table 2: NSAIDS for the management of dysmenorrhea (P03S02H03).
Level 3 outcome
(information use): Information on NSAIDs and dysmenorrhea was retrieved, and used to maintain (be more certain about) the
management of the patient (information used as presented in e-Therapeutics+). “That information was what I gave to her to help treat her
dysmenorrhea. […] In general,
it's used in my practice a lot.”
Level 4 outcome (patient health): Without this information hit, P03’s management of the patient would have been
the same. There was no clear relationship between the information use and
patient health outcomes.
Levels of outcome of information-seeking
|
Situational relevance |
Positive cognitive
impact |
Information use |
Patient health |
|
Address a clinical question Share information |
Practice improved Learned something |
Be more certain |
No outcome |