Residents’ learning necessities for bibliographic searching and referencing on behalf of the specialty ending work

Abstract

Background: Information managing is organizing and using the information resources. Aim: The current research was carried out with the aim of identifying the residents’ learning necessities for bibliographic searching and referencing when managing information in the context of the scientific research related with their specialty final work. Materials and Methods: We developed a cross-sectional descriptive study in October-November 2012, with 21 residents who presented their specialty examination in four of the provincial hospitals of Matanzas. They answered a ten-question inquiry aimed to know about their development of the bibliographic search, their knowledge on bibliographic standards and styles, data basis usage and knowledge, key words and information sources. A documental reviewing guide was applied to their specialty final work summaries, consisting in four items to obtain information on the bibliographic references structure and organization, and consulted bibliography. Outcomes: The knowledge insufficiencies were related with: dependence on other persons for information searching; lack of knowledge on the available and reliable data bases in Medical Sciences; little usage and lack of knowledge of the key words role in information searching and retrieval; insufficient knowledge of the bibliographic references structure according to Vancouver Standard. Conclusions: The research findings show the necessity of developing processes of essential informational competences in residents and tutors of the territory.