Becoming an information master: a guidebook to the medical information jungle

Abstract

The medical information system is a "jungle" in which the unguided visitor can become lost or disoriented. This paper, the second in a series on becoming a medical information master, is a guidebook for traveling through this jungle. It focuses on techniques for efficiently obtaining patient-oriented evidence that matters (POEM). From original research to clinical experience, each source of medical information is valuable; the trick is to learn which source is best for the specific information being sought. Armed with this guide, clinicians can find the most appropriate source of information, evaluate it quickly, and apply it confidently in their efforts to provide the best care for their patients.