Information search and software use in TDM laboratories – a survey

Introduction: In the medical and pharmacological community online citation and literature databases like PubMed are consulted when valid research information is needed. Laboratory Information Systems (LIS) support the workflow and report creation in modern laboratories. We wanted to know what databases and software tools are in use in the TDM laboratories associated with the AGNP TDM group. Methods: A questionnaire was created and made available online to participate in the survey. It was tested in the laboratories in Regensburg and Mainz. The questionnaire consisted of a total of 30 questions, divided in three parts: The first part dealt with size of the laboratories and methods used for drug analyses. The second part requested software and information sources used for research and to manage routine tasks. The third part included information about what the participants of the survey expect from software tools in the future. Results: We were finally able to get complete results from ten laboratories. Only six of the ten labs use a Laboratory Information System (LIS). Regarding information sources, Wikipedia is used as a research tool in addition to PubMed, Roteliste.de, PsiacOnline, Fachinfo.de, medIQ and other scientific databases. Results show overall satisfaction with the software and information sources available. Seven out of ten laboratories would like to have the CYP450 pathways of the medication of the patient, and only one laboratory offers the dose related reference range included in their report, only one lab has. Conclusion: Printed books and journals are losing more and more weight when it comes to scientific information. Professional online databases are the main source for research nowadays. The popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia has gathered so much reputation that it is used by researchers as well. We see this critical, since everybody can edit articles. A dedicated drug wiki, peer reviewed by researchers, could be a solution. Even if all laboratories are quite content with their situation, they utter reasonable wishes, like displaying the CYP450 pathways and the dose related reference range in their reports, which at the moment cannot be fulfilled by many modern laboratory software products.