1. Investigating Journal Reading and Literature Searching Practices of Radiation Therapists Dr Heidi Probst 1, David Eddy 1, Angie Eddy 1, Dan Edwards 2 1-Sheffield Hallam University, 2- Cambridge University Press

2. Aims and Research Questions The overarching aim of the project was to investigate journal article reading and searching strategies of qualified Radiation therapists accessing Sheffield Hallam University courses Specifically, we wanted to identify: 1.How do Therapists select the key terms for searching? 2.How frequently are Boolean operators used? 3.What databases do they utilise? 4.Once presented with a series of hits from a database how do practitioners filter articles to download? 5.What are the barriers to searching for relevant evidence? 6.How often to practitioners engage in reading journal articles? And which journals do they access?

3. The study is expected to contribute knowledge and understanding to help authors disseminate their work more effectively to the practicing community, thus increasing user-pull methods of dissemination. To allow us as educators to design learning packages to enhance literature searching skills. Significance of the research

4. 1.Literature searching skills even in medical practitioners can be limited 1 2.In UG radiography students use of databases for searching is limited with <20% using major databases and 32% utilising search engines to find literature 2. 3.<20% of UG students were able to convert a statement into key terms and of the key terms used <5% included Boolean operators ‘AND’/’OR ’2. 4.In a sample of qualified practitioners approx 20% had utilised Cochrane database with variability in practitioners access to searching facilities 3. What did the previous literature say?

5. Online survey of Radiation Therapists currently accessing Sheffield Hallam University courses A total of 63 individuals accessed the survey. Participant ages ranged from 21-54 years mean = 35 years Experience 2-30 years mean= 12 years 82% female, 18% male 76% English participants, 7% Canadian, 2% Scotland, remaining from, Austria, Middle East, Wales, Malta, Hong Kong, Singapore, Switzerland. Method and Demographics

6. Results- Descriptive data

7. 48% of respondents indicated they only read articles with interesting titles 97% of respondents read the abstract before deciding whether to read the full article Majority of respondents will read the background section (77%) and will not skip this to get to the results Although, 44% of respondents will give up on reading an article if the background section is difficult to follow. 69% of respondents don’t have time at work to read articles. Results- Reading Practices

8. Results reading Practices

9. Results-Reading Practices

11. Results- What do You Search for?

12. Results- What Web Sites Do You Use?

13. Participants were given the following statement: What are the benefits of IMRT for whole breast irradiation? and asked to identify key search terms to locate relevant literature. Approximately 61% were unable to convert the question into adequate key terms for searching. Within the search terms presented only 20% used Boolean operators (‘AND’/’OR’) When prompted about using limits 51% selected combining terms using Boolean operators. Results- Searching Skills

17. Use of Medline and Cochrane 48 % mentioned using Cochrane Database, compared with 80% that mentioned using Medline, and approximately 15% didn’t mention either database.

18. Results- Searching Skills

19. Results- Assessing Quality

20. Searching Techniques Most Commonly Used

21. Journal Clubs- As a way of Enhancing Reading and searching practice

24. Results- Access

26. Results- Barriers

27. Majority of respondents read ≥2 articles a month. In deciding what to read, practitioners will more likely read articles with interesting titles, and will use the abstract to decide whether to read the article in full. When searching for evidence time is a major barrier, with searching skills another significant barrier. Information on Radiotherapy Technique is most common topic therapists search for. Summary

28. Majority of respondents were unable to convert a statement into adequate key search terms with <20% using Boolean operators. ScienceDirect is commonly a primary search start point. Knowledge on how to use Medline Mesh terms and searching conference proceedings were under utilised search strategies. The value of using Boolean operators for increased efficiency in searching seemed to be underestimated. As did the value of the Cochrane database. Summary

29. The Successive Fractions strategy was the most commonly employed search technique-is this the most efficient? The majority of respondents don’t have access currently to a journal club, yet approximately 70% indicated they would find a journal club useful for extending skills. While 90% indicating having access at home to literature databases, only 37% have unlimited internet access at work. Summary

30. Learning packages need to focus on strategies to improve efficiency such as the ‘traditional pearl growing’ methods, use of Boolean operators and which databases to search first. Authors publishing their work need to consider the limited time available for practitioners to read articles and therefore: 1.Titles need to be eye catching, 2.Abstracts need to be interesting 3.Background section needs to be uncomplicated Recommendations

31. If you want to disseminate your work to as many practitioners as possible, choose a journal that is most frequently read by practitioners- the top 3 journals were: Radiotherapy and Oncology JRP IJROBP. Recommendations

32. (1) Cullen RJ. In search of evidence: family practitioners' use of the Internet for clinical information. J Med Libr Assoc 2002; 90(4):370-379. (2) Shanahan MC. Information literacy skills of undergraduate medical radiation students. Radiography 2007; 13(3):187-196. (3) Shanahan M, Herrington A, Herrington J. The Internet and the medical radiation science practitioner. Radiography 2009; 15(3):233-241. (4) Schlosser RW, Wendt O, Bhavnani S, Nail-Chiwetalu B. Use of information- seeking strategies for developing systematic reviews and engaging in evidence- based practice: the application of traditional and comprehensive Pearl Growing. A review. International Journal Of Language & Communication Disorders / Royal College Of Speech & Language Therapists 2006; 41(5):567-582. References