Abstract

Hunting Biomedical Literature in PubMed: Factors Affecting the Hunt

Author(s):Kuldeep Singh Shekhawat, Sakthidevi S, Basavaraj Nimbeni, Shruthi Golai, Arunima Chauhan and Saru Sasi

Background: Quest for knowledge is a good indicator for anyone involved in academics and research. However, finding what one exactly needs is the question we need to focus on. Accessing databases for retrieving information can be tricky unless one has knowledge to sail through it. Aim: To assess knowledge of accessing PubMed (biomedical database) among faculties of a deemed university in Pondicherry with a secondary objective to determine the influence of independent variables over overall score. Materials and Methods: The questionnaire consisted of items used to obtain scores which were categorized as poor, average and good. Total 200 questionnaires were distributed to faculties of dental, medical and nursing institutes. Designation, cadre, number of publications, experience, workshop attended, accessing tutorial and work profile in institution were the independent variables considered. Participants were requested to fill the questionnaire in the presence of the investigator. Statistical test: Logistic regression was done to determine the influence of independent variables on overall scores. Chi-square test was used to compare proportions. Results: Response rate was 92 percent. None of the faculties had adequate knowledge in accessing PubMed with least participation from dental specialty. Only 23 percent had more than 10 publications and only 33 percent had accessed PubMed tutorial. Specialty (OR: 5.9; p<0.05) rank/cadre (OR: 0.23) attending workshops (OR: 0.33) and accessing tutorials [OR: 0.26] were found to influence overall scores. Conclusion: Faculties knowledge to access PubMed ranged from poor to average. There is a need to rectify this loophole and efforts directed to strengthen and/or reinforce the knowledge through workshops and hands on courses.

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