A simple heuristic for Internet-based evidence search in primary care: a randomized controlled trial.

Background: General practitioners (GPs) are confronted with a wide variety of clinical questions, many of which remain unanswered.

Methods: In order to assist GPs in finding quick, evidence-based answers, we developed a learning program (LP) with a short interactive workshop based on a simple three-step-heuristic to improve their search and appraisal competence (SAC). We evaluated the LP effectiveness with a randomized controlled trial (RCT).