epocrates Usage Study

Transcription

1 epocrates Usage Study July 16 th, 2003 Our Logo

2 epocrates Usage Study Table of Contents Page Background and Methodology... 1 Clinical Reference Resources Used... 3 Credibility of Sources of Clinical Information... 5 Influence of Sources of Clinical Information... 8 Usefulness of Sources of Clinical Information Where epocrates is Used Frequency of Sampling from Drug Representatives... 15

3 BACKGROUND AND METHODOLOGY epocrates provides up-to-date medical information to physicians delivered via handheld PDAs. Currently, epocrates reaches more than one in four U.S. doctors. This research was conducted in order to evaluate physicians usage and perceptions of epocrates compared to other available sources of clinical reference resources, such as medical journals and WebMD/Medscape. The research was conducted as an internet study. Respondents were selected through a stratified random sample from the population of PDA users, with strata comprised of physician specialties. A total of 1707 physicians representing 13 specialties responded to this survey (May, 2003), including the following: 299 Internal Medicine Specialists 277 Family Practice Physicians 121 Pediatricians 105 Emergency Medicine Specialists 102 Obstetrician/Gynecologists 100 Cardiologists 100 Neurologists 101 Pulmonary Disease Specialists 101 Gastroenterologists 100 Nephrologists 100 Oncologists 100 Infectious Disease Specialists 101 Endocrinologists 1 1 The Healthcare Group

4 As the number of physicians per specialty varies, weights were constructed to balance the achieved sample distribution to that of the specialist population. Statistical findings are accurate within ± 2.7%, with 95% confidence. Tolerance was computed using a mid-range proportion, and the effective sample size of 1,300 after the design effect of weighting was taken into consideration (the actual number of sample cases was 1,707). able differences between the 13 specialties relative to their usage and perceptions of epocrates are mentioned in this report. 2 2 The Healthcare Group

5 CLINICAL REFERENCE RESOURCES USED The study participants were asked how frequently they use the following clinical reference resources: Physician s Desk Reference (PDR) WebMD/Medscape epocrates Other reference books Other websites They are by far most likely to access epocrates: more than nine out of ten (94%) use epocrates on a daily basis, and close to two-thirds use it four or more times a day. Study results indicate that family practice physicians are the most frequent users of epocrates, followed by internists and ER physicians. Next to epocrates, the respondents are most likely to access other reference books and websites, but not nearly with the same frequency as epocrates. Approximately two-fifths go to reference books either one to three times per day (4) or once a week (37%). About a third search other websites either one to three times per day (3) or once a week (33%). In contrast, approximately half reported that they rarely or never use the PDR or WebMD/ Medscape. 3 3 The Healthcare Group

6 FREQUENCY OF USE OF CLINICAL REFERENCE RESOURCES (Base=1709/Total Respondents/weighted) Frequency of Use PDR WebMD/ Medscape epocrates Other Reference Books Other Websites 4 + times a day 3% 63% 8% 8% 1 3 times a day Once a week Once a month * * 6 13 Never * 1 5 *Less than 0.5% 4 4 The Healthcare Group

7 CREDIBILITY OF SOURCES OF CLINICAL INFORMATION The physicians were asked to rate the credibility of seven sources of clinical information on a scale of one ( not ) to five ( highly ). The resources they considered included the following: Detailing by pharmaceutical company sales representatives WebMD/Medscape epocrates Medical journals Symposia/dinner meetings Direct mail or from pharmaceutical companies E-details from pharmaceutical companies They are by far most likely to believe information they get from epocrates and medical journals: more than 95% rated these two resources at four or five on the five-point scale, and close to twothirds of the respondents gave them the highest rating. WebMD/Medscape follows in terms of credibility, with about four-fifths of the respondents giving this source top-box ratings. Physicians are clearly least likely to rely on information provided to them by pharmaceutical manufacturers, whether it be via sales representatives (19% top-box ratings) or mailings (only 16% top ratings for both direct mail/ and E-details). 5 5 The Healthcare Group

8 Credibility of Sources of Clinical Information Sales Rep Detailing WebMD/Medscape 13% 5% Credible 18% 63% 19% 20% Credible 59% Mean Rating = 3.0 Mean Rating = 4.0 epocrates Medical Journals 3% Credible 37% 62% Credible 32% 65% Mean Rating = 4.6 Mean Rating = 4.6 Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( highly ). 6 6 The Healthcare Group

9 Credibility of Sources of Clinical Information Symposia/Dinner Meetings Pharmaceutical Direct Mail/ 6% 46% 6% Mean Rating = 3.4 Credible 40% 5% 20% Credible 15% Mean Rating = % Pharmaceutical E-Details 5% 20% Credible 15% 59% Mean Rating = 2.9 Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( highly ). 7 7 The Healthcare Group

10 INFLUENCE OF SOURCES OF CLINICAL INFORMATION The physicians were asked to rate how the same seven sources of clinical information are on a scale of one ( not ) to five ( highly ). Given their feedback on the credibility of these resources, it is not surprising that epocrates and medical journals are perceived as the most sources of clinical information by far. In this case, medical journals have somewhat of an edge over epocrates: approximately nine out of ten gave ratings of four or five for the influence of medical journals, while four-fifths gave top-box ratings for epocrates. Study results suggest that family practice physicians are the most influenced by epocrates when making prescribing decisions, and endocrinologists are the least influenced. Here again, physicians are clearly least likely to be influenced by information provided by pharmaceutical manufacturers through sales representatives and mailings. 8 8 The Healthcare Group

11 Influence of Sources of Clinical Information Sales Rep Detailing WebMD/Medscape 10% 29% 2% Influential 13% Mean Rating = % 12% 20% 5% Mean Rating = 3.0 Influential 29% 34% 3% 16% epocrates 33% Mean Rating = 4.1 Influential 47% 8% Influential 45% Medical Journals Mean Rating = % Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( highly ). 9 9 The Healthcare Group

12 Influence of Sources of Clinical Information Symposia/Dinner Meetings Pharmaceutical Direct Mail/ 15% 5% 5% Influential 32% Mean Rating = % 17% 4 Influential 5% Mean Rating = % Pharmaceutical E-Details 18% 4 Influential 6% Mean Rating = % Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( highly ) The Healthcare Group

13 USEFULNESS OF SOURCES OF CLINICAL INFORMATION The study participants were asked to evaluate five information sources in terms of their ness for helping physicians to stay abreast of medical developments and advancements. They did this by rating each on a scale of one ( not ) to five ( very ). The resources they considered included the following: Medical journals WebMD/Medscape MedPulse s epocrates DocAlerts Symposia/dinner meetings Online or CD ROM-based continuing medical education (CME) Respondent feedback strongly indicates that physicians are most likely to rely upon medical journals for new information: 95% gave top-box ratings of four and five to medical journals for their ness in this regard. epocrates DocAlerts and online or CD ROM-based CME follow in terms of overall utility, with six out of ten physicians giving these sources the two highest ratings. Among medical specialties, family practice physicians are the most enthusiastic relative to the ness of epocrates DocAlerts, with seven out of ten giving it the highest ratings. The respondents are least likely to value symposia/dinner meetings and WebMD/Medscape in terms of providing new medical information The Healthcare Group

14 Usefulness of Sources of Clinical Information Medical Journals WebMD/Medscape MedPulse s 4% Useful 26% Very 69% Mean Rating = % 12% Very 12% Mean Rating = 3.2 Useful 32% 29% epocrates DocAlerts 8% Very 19% 29% Useful 42% Mean Rating = 3.7 Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( very ) The Healthcare Group

15 Usefulness of Sources of Clinical Information Symposia/Dinner Meetings Online or CD ROM-based CME 14% 40% 5% Very 9% Mean Rating = 3.3 Useful 32% 10% 24% 6% Very 20% Mean Rating = 3.6 Useful 40% Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) Ratings are based on a scale of 1 ( not ) to 5 ( very ) The Healthcare Group

16 Where epocrates is Used The physicians use epocrates most frequently in the exam room, hospital, or office. 34% 32% 3 2% Exam Room Hospital Office Home Other Percent MDs Responding Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) The Healthcare Group

17 Frequency of Sampling from Drug Representatives Close to half of the respondents reported that they receive samples from drug reps once a week, and more than a fourth are provided with samples from one to three times a month. Pulmonary disease specialists reported getting the most samples, with close to three-fourths indicating that they received samples once a week. Close to a fifth of the physicians overall, most commonly ER physicians and infectious disease specialists, indicated that they never get samples. 1 time every 3 months 6% Never 18% Once a week 48% Once a month 12% 2-3 times/month 16% Base=1709/Total Respondents (weighted) The Healthcare Group