How to keep up to date with medical information using web-based resources: a systematised review and narrative synthesis

Background Keeping up to date with the latest medical information using Web-based resources has been sparsely described, and a comprehensive up-to-date review is needed. Objectives To summarise the Web-based 'channels' that may assist the actors of the health care system (clinicians, medical researchers and students) to keep up to date with medical information. Methods We searched PubMed and Scopus for English language articles published between January 1990 and February 2019 that investigated ways for keeping up with medical information. We used the results from our search and relevant information from other sources to conduct a narrative synthesis. Results We found that resources that push information (e.g. web alerts, medical newsletters, listservs), resources that rely on the active information seeking (e.g. access to health librarians and electronic databases, podcasts, mobile apps), collaborative resources (e.g. web conferences, online journal clubs, web social media) and resources that synthesise information (e.g. bibliometrics, living systematic reviews) can contribute in keeping up with new findings and can enhance evidence-based medicine. Clinicians, medical researchers and students can benefit from the proper use of such Internet-based technological innovations. Conclusion Internet provides many resources that can help the actors of the health care system stay up to date with the latest scientific findings.