Information excess in medicine : overview, relevance to dermatology, and strategies for coping

摘要: † Background.— The amount of biomedical information contained in scientific journals has grown to the point that complete coverage this material is impossible. number articles and being published been growing at an exponential rate since 1750. Thirty-four thousand references from 4000 are added each month National Library Medicine MEDLINE database among more than 100 000 now published. This increase literature reflects not greater productivity but simply a larger scientists work. Most written eventually medical literature, large less optimal quality, most never cited. Articles higher quality usefulness cluster few enjoy great use libraries high scores on bibliometric such as Science Citation Index . Observations.— To assess reading habits dermatologic trainees evaluate how they cope with excess, survey was distributed 36 residents three training programs. average journal hours per 17; devoted issues Archives Dermatology , Journal American Academy Investigative were 3.2, 5.0, 1.4, respectively; resident read seven peerreviewed journals, two four tabloids, peer-reviewed journals. Conclusions.— Critically consistently limited high-quality well taking advantage available through computer networks bibliographic full-text databases best approach coping volume literature. Translating into change attitude modification physician behavior accomplished when local role models incorporate new ideas their practice teaching. Modifications would, fact, bring about truly useful changes, decreasing publications, melding already present smaller numbers publications rather instituting altering "publish-or-perish" rules, writing comprehensive multiple small contributions, all await fundamental alterations longaccepted policies medicine. ( Arch Dermatol. 1992;128:1249-1256)