In an effort to better understand our audience, the NEJM continuously conducts research among clinicians and academicians.   Our research is designed to learn many aspects of the educational needs of the community, and provides useful insights into usage and learning patterns segmenting the audience into many subgroups. 

In a cooperative spirit with the library community we have included some highlights of various research projects that we think the library community will find useful and interesting.   The results are provided in PowerPoint format to allow you easy access. This section is periodically updated with new research results.

Resident Information Sources Study, Mar 8, 2005 – Bowen Associates

Goal: This study was designed to determine the most valued information sources of internal medicine and family practice residents in the United States. We wanted to identify the means of access to these sources, and gain insight into the reason why certain resources are valued over others.

Methodology: A one page direct mail survey was sent to 1,000 internal medicine and 1,000 family practices residents in the United States. An unaided recall format was used. Residents were asked to write down the names of the information resources they used.

Remarks: The study provides many insights into what residents’ usage of resource materials. Medical school and teaching hospital librarians can learn useful information about how residents gather information, how they use that information, and how they value the various information resources provided to them.

Readership Preferences of Influential Physicians, September 2004 – The Matalia Group

Goal: Develop a methodology to model behavior that defines an individual as an “influential physician,” measure influence and classify levels of influence, and catalogue the learning habits of influential physicians.

Methodology: A direct mail survey was mailed to 4,000 physicians in four specialties; cardiology, oncology, infectious disease, and general internal medicine. The sample was randomly selected from the AMA file and was blinded. The survey package included a one page cover letter, a three page survey, and a $5 check. Two mailings were sent with a field period between June 1 and August 16, 2004. We received a 24% response rate.

Remarks: Physicians have many information sources, the most important sources of information are journals and symposia – this is especially true for high influence physicians. The evidence shows that a very limited number of journals have a large impact on patient care and research decisions. The list of “must have” journals is very shallow, usually no more than three titles are considered “must have” in each specialty group.