Data from: Qualitative study of physicians' varied uses of biomedical research in the USA

Objective To investigate the nature of physicians' use of research
evidence in experimental conditions of open access to inform training and
policy. Design This qualitative study was a component of a larger
mixed-methods initiative that provided 336 physicians with relatively
complete access to research literature via PubMed and UpToDate, for 1 year
via an online portal, with their usage recorded in web logs. Using a
semistructured interview protocol, a subset of 38 physician participants
were interviewed about their use of research articles in general and were
probed about their reasons for accessing specific articles as identified
through their web logs. Transcripts were analysed using a general
inductive approach. Setting Physician participants were recruited from and
registered in the USA. Participants 38 physicians from 16 US states,
engaged in 22 medical specialties, possessing more than 1 year of
experience postresidency training participated. Results 26 participants
attested to the value of consulting research literature within the context
of the study by making reference to their roles as clinicians, educators,
researchers, learners, administrators and advocates. The physicians
reported previously encountering what they experienced as a prohibitive
paywall barrier to the research literature and other frustrations with the
nature of information systems, such as the need for passwords. Conclusions
The findings, against the backdrop of growing open access to biomedical
research, indicate that a minority of physicians, at least initially, is
likely to seek out and use research and do so in a variety of common
roles. Physicians' use of research in these roles has not
traditionally been part of their training or part of the considerations
for open access policies. The findings have implications for educational
and policy initiatives directed towards increasing the effectiveness of
this access to and use of research in improving the quality of healthcare.