Coping up with the Information Overload in the Medical Profession

Ajit Kumar,Sanjeev Maskara

doi:10.4236/jbm.2015.311016

Abstract

The recent technological advancement has proved to be tremendously helpful for medical consultants. However, this advancement has also generated an enormous volume and variety of data, with a high velocity causing an information load for the medical consultants. Information overload can be defined as a difficulty a person can have in comprehending issue and making judgments that are caused by the presence of too much information. Information overload occurs when the amount of input to a system surpasses its processing capability. Decision-makers have a limited cognitive processing ability. Consequently, when information overload happens, it is possible that a decline in decision quality will take place. Decision-makers, such as medical consultants, have fairly limited cognitive processing capacity. Consequently, when information overload occurs, it is likely that a reduction in decision quality will occur. The aim of this study is to assess the impact of information overload on medical consultants’ life, its causes, and potential ways to deal with it. We performed a literature review to find the effects of information overload on medical consultants. Twelve research papers were considered for thematic analysis using NVivo 10 tool. These papers revealed four themes: 1) traditional methods of data collection; 2) modern ways of data collection; 3) consequences of modern ways of data collection; and 4) the need for handling information overload. This study suggests the development of a Continuing Professional Development course that explains how to deal with information overload, and availing the same through E-Learning mode might be one immediate solution.

Highlights

The recent technological advancement, the Internet, has proven to be tremendously helpful for med-How to cite this paper: Kumar, A. and Maskara, S. (2015) Coping up with the Information Overload in the Medical Profession
Information overload can be defined as a difficulty a person can have in comprehending issue and making judgments that are caused by the presence of too much information
Some factors associated with medical consultants, such as lack of time to search, forgetfulness, belief, and concerns about the relationship with the patient could have some adverse effects on the use of this vast knowledge base [1] [2]

Summary

Introduction

The recent technological advancement, the Internet, has proven to be tremendously helpful for med-How to cite this paper: Kumar, A. and Maskara, S. (2015) Coping up with the Information Overload in the Medical Profession. Maskara ical consultants to deal with patient care related data, healthcare information, and knowledge, thereby facilitating quality health care for their clients. This advancement has generated an enormous volume and variety of data, with a high velocity. Decision-makers have a limited cognitive processing ability. When information overload happens, it is possible that a decline in decision quality will take place. Decision-makers, such as medical consultants, have fairly limited cognitive processing capacity. When information overload occurs, it is likely that a reduction in decision quality will occur. The wide variation in knowledge seeking activities of medical consultants suggests a need for further categorization of information need and information sources

Objectives

Methods

Conclusion