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Although doctors increasingly engage in online information seeking to complement their medical practice, little is known regarding what online information sources are used and how effective they are.

Grounded on self‐determination and needs theory, this study posits that doctors tend to use online information sources to fulfil their information requirements in three pre‐defined areas: patient care, knowledge development and research activities. Fulfilling these information needs is argued to improve doctors' perceived medical practice competence.

Performing PLS‐SEM analysis on primary survey data from 303 medical doctors practicing in four major Greek hospitals, a conceptual model is empirically tested.

Using authoritative online information sources was found to fulfil all types of information needs. Contrarily, using non‐authoritative information sources had no …