Why do today’s physicians prefer to find information online?

The findings of the two surveys, published as a whitepaper opens in new tab/window by Pharma & Life Sciences Solutions Team, revealed that physicians are increasingly going online to find information, connect with peers, and explore new means to deliver care to patients. This information could help key stakeholders in the medical community enhance the digital visibility of their brands and improve their adoption into physicians’ treatment paradigms.

Several zettabytes of new medical knowledge are being produced every day. Online resources and tools are helping physicians navigate these exploding volumes of available knowledge and providing them with vital information at their fingertips. According to Dr. Dominique Spaëth, a prominent medical oncologist from France who is a featured interviewee in the whitepaper, “In my practice, I treat all kinds of solid tumors. So, treating all kinds of solid tumors, the guidelines change every week or every two weeks. It’s part of my work to cope with that.”

The whitepaper touches upon not only why physicians are going online, but also how they filter the most pertinent content to their practice. According to the whitepaper, the top three factors influencing resource choice are credibility, up-to-date information or research, and ease of search or navigation. “I think credibility is something which goes without saying,” says Dr. Aparna Jaswal, a renowned cardiologist from India, who is also featured in the whitepaper, “As clinicians, as scientists, I don’t think we like to take on anything which is not a credible piece of information.” Moreover, 85% of physicians surveyed for the whitepaper revealed that they prefer using online journals for the latest medical information.

Physicians’ use of social media for professional purposes is also on the rise. Elsevier’s whitepaper revealed that 70% of physicians globally rely on social media to get the latest medical news pertaining to their medical specialty. “How I consume social media, in part, is to keep up with some research updates. I do think for disseminating and consuming up-to-date scientific information, some of the different news updates, things like that can be really helpful,” reveals Dr. Johnathan Silverberg, a preeminent dermatologist from the USA, who participated in Elsevier’s whitepaper.

Based on just this handful of insights from Elsevier’s whitepaper, it is abundantly clear that online resources are the latest frontier for physician engagement, with plenty of opportunity to influence practice.

According to Sharon Levi, Senior Marketing Manager at Elsevier Pharma & Life Sciences Solutions, “While speaking with various pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers, it was very clear that all are looking for ways to drive online engagement with their target audience and realize the value and ‘stickiness’ of Elsevier’s credible and trusted resources.”

It is with this in mind that Elsevier Pharma & Life Sciences Solutions have launched their latest campaign — It's Your Turn To Be Seen opens in new tab/window. “As content consumption has continued to shift toward digital channels, we have been developing innovative solutions to ensure our sponsors can capitalize on the increased interest and use of our online platforms,” says Denis Conlon, VP Marketing. The new campaign offers a means to deliver on stakeholder needs, drive portfolio performance, and upgrade customer experience through digitalization.

Insights from the campaign, which includes the whitepaper, as well as other informational materials and tools, will further help pharmaceutical and medical device manufacturers ensure that they align their offerings with the most pertinent needs of physicians.

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Notes for editors

About the survey

Pharma & Life Sciences Solutions Team surveyed 1,937 physicians in 2019, among whom 70% were secondary care clinicians, consultants, or specialists. 61% of the physicians surveyed in 2019 came from Europe and Latin America, 21% were from the USA, and 18% were from Asia-Pacific (APAC) countries.

In 2021, they surveyed 1,778 physicians, 62% of whom were secondary care clinicians, 25% of whom were primary care clinicians/GPs, and 13% of whom were trainee doctors. 60% of these physicians were from Europe and Latin America, 24% were from the USA, and 16% were from APAC countries.

About Elsevier

As a global leader in scientific information and analytics, Elsevier helps researchers and healthcare professionals advance science and improve health outcomes for the benefit of society. We do this by facilitating insights and critical decision-making with innovative solutions based on trusted, evidence-based content and advanced AI-enabled digital technologies.

We have supported the work of our research and healthcare communities for more than 140 years. Our 9,500 employees around the world, including 2,500 technologists, are dedicated to supporting researchers, librarians, academic leaders, funders, governments, R&D-intensive companies, doctors, nurses, future healthcare professionals and educators in their critical work. Our 2,900 scientific journals and iconic reference books include the foremost titles in their fields, including Cell Press, The Lancet and Gray’s Anatomy.

Together with the Elsevier Foundation opens in new tab/window, we work in partnership with the communities we serve to advance inclusion and diversity in science, research and healthcare in developing countries and around the world.

Elsevier is part of RELX opens in new tab/window, a global provider of information-based analytics and decision tools for professional and business customers. For more information on our work, digital solutions and content, visit www.elsevier.com.