Knowledge and Attitudes of Physicians Towards Evidence Based Medicine in Ilam, Iran

Abstract

Background: Evidence based medicine (EBM) is very important in the process of decision making, diagnosis and treatment of patients. For years, medical schools have developed instructions for EBM to determine the attitude and knowledge of physicians towards EBM and their related educational needs. Materials and Methods: This study was a questionnaire study among physicians. One hundred twenty physicians were selected using stratified random sampling in Ilam. A main outcome measure was attitudes and knowledge of physicians toward EBM, ability to access and interpret evidence, and best method of moving from opinion based to EBM. Results: Of the 120 questionnaires we have sent, 94 (78.3%) were answered. 56.6% were using the internet to answer their patients questions and 23.8% used the internet to obtain clinical evidence. Mean and standard deviation (SD) of knowledge and attitude scores were 24% ± 23% and 72% ± 10%, respectively. Pearson correlation shows a significant relation between knowledge of physicians and years of graduation (r = -0.37, P = 0.00). There was a significant difference between mean of knowledge score of general practitioners, specialist and subspecialist (P = 0.026). Conclusions: Knowledge and attitude of young physicians were more based on EBM compare to old physicians. A significant difference in knowledge mean score of physician shows that the EBM is still new in Iran, the future physician's critical need to learn EBM and necessity of entering EMB at all medical levels.

A survey of Paediatricians on evidence-based medical practice in Nigeria

“…This is not surprising as the overall mean knowledge score was 77.6% compared to 24% recorded in a population of Iranian doctors. 13 Although the relatively high knowledge score observed in the present study is reassuring, it may not be a perfect proof of deep knowledge of EBM, given the low rate of training reported in the same population. Almost all the participants (92.3%) were willing to learn the skills required to incorporate EBM into their routine clinical practice and this may be a reflection of the acceptability of EBM in clinical practice.…”

Incorporating Evidence Based Medicine in Medical Education and Health Care

“…There might be an under-estimation of results related to utilization of databases because in a few instances respondents may have used a particular database but may not have been aware of the correct title. In comparison with studies conducted in Middle East Asian countries, [8][9][10] the level of awareness in the present study was much higher regarding EBM. This might be attributed to increased exposure of doctors regarding EBM in the form of training and CME (Continuing Medical Education) at Kasturba Medical College (KMC), Mangalore and the teaching hospitals associated with it.…”

“…6,7 EBM also helps doctors in making better clinical decisions by providing updates regarding recent advancements through an organized and structured approach of medical education. 8 The gap in implementation of results in clinical trials and their utility in case management results in costly A B S T R A C T : A facility-based cross sectional study was carried out among 188 doctors working at the Kasturba Medical College in Mangalore, India, to assess the perception and practice of evidence based medicine (EBM) among medical professionals. Data was collected using a pre-tested questionnaire and results obtained were expressed in percentages.…”

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“…All 56 articles were observational studies. Eleven studies were conducted in Europe, three studies in North America, two studies in Australia, six studies in North Africa, 26 studies in South‐West Asia, and five studies in East‐Asia . Twenty‐two studies included primary care physicians, 15 studies included residents, 15 studies included specialists and subspecialists, and nine studies had a mixed sample of physicians including GPs, residents, specialists, and subspecialists, while in seven studied type of physicians was not specified.…”