P07S05:
Back and neck pain
Bottom line: Information on back and neck pain
was used to justify the management of the patient (prescription). It
contributed to avoid inappropriate treatment.
Level 1 outcome (situational relevance): On May 12,
2008, P07 did a search at work and with a patient (during the encounter). They
retrieved one information hit about back and neck pain. The reported search
objectives were: to address a clinical question, to look up something they
forgot, and to share information with a patient. “[The patient was] a woman in her forties with back and neck pain
secondary to working in a daycare and picking up children all the time, [...]
having back spasm, muscle spasms. [...] [The clinical question was] the actual
dosing [of Flexeril]. [...] [It was also to share the dosing with the patient].”
According to P07, 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).
Retrieved
information hit(s):
1) e-Therapeutics+ (CIRT): e-CPS tab –
Flexeril - cyclobenzaprine - dosage and administration section (P07S05H01)
Level 3 outcome
(information use): Information on back and neck pain was
retrieved, and used to justify the management of the patient (information used
as presented in e-Therapeutics+). “I gave
her a few days off work and some Flexeril. [...] [The information] justified
that I was using the right medication. [...] I was not sure of the dose. [...]
I think it says TID [three times a day] and I probably would not have given it
that often, not being sure.”
Level 4 outcome (patient health): Regarding
patient health, P07 reported that the information contributed to avoid
inappropriate treatment. “I did not want
to not give her enough medication so that it wouldn’t help. But nor did I want
to give more than I should have. [...] If I look it [the information] up in
front of a patient, then they feel secure that I am giving them the appropriate
dosing.”
Levels of outcome of information-seeking
|
Situational relevance |
Positive cognitive
impact |
Information use |
Patient health |
|
Address a clinical question Look up something forgotten Share information |
Practice improved Reminded something Motivated to learn Confirmed Reassured |
Justify choice |
Avoid |