Article type
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Abstract
Introduction:
Objectives: To describe the experience of a department of medicine of a university teaching hospital (De La Salle University Medical Center) in the Philippines in incorporating Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) into its curriculum in clinical clerkship as well as in its residency training program. In particular it describes the major role that the use of the Cochrane database has played in teaching EBM through the problem based EBM rounds in the university charity service ward and in the EBM conferences of the residents. Developing countries are important and appropriate areas where EBM and the use of the Cochrane library can change practice and improve health care. Scarce resources demand more cost-effective decisions especially in the area of therapy. Countries like the Philippines are also dominated by influentials especially those attached to academic institutions with large practices who wield considerable influence in those being trained as medical students or medical trainees. Practice variations and the influence of pharmaceuticals are considerable and widespread. The introduction of EBM has improved the critical appraisal and thinking skills of trainees. Knowledge of the existence of the Cochrane database, its use and rationale has provided trainees with an easy yet powerful tool to counterbalance the influence of authoritative figures, practice variations, expert opinions and drug industry influence. Initial successes have led it to become formally incorporated in the medical curriculum. Setbacks include difficulties in retrieval of articles due to unavailability and technical problems through the Internet. Information on diseases and issues associated primarily with developing countries are lacking in the present Cochrane database.
Methods:
Results:
Discussion:
Objectives: To describe the experience of a department of medicine of a university teaching hospital (De La Salle University Medical Center) in the Philippines in incorporating Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) into its curriculum in clinical clerkship as well as in its residency training program. In particular it describes the major role that the use of the Cochrane database has played in teaching EBM through the problem based EBM rounds in the university charity service ward and in the EBM conferences of the residents. Developing countries are important and appropriate areas where EBM and the use of the Cochrane library can change practice and improve health care. Scarce resources demand more cost-effective decisions especially in the area of therapy. Countries like the Philippines are also dominated by influentials especially those attached to academic institutions with large practices who wield considerable influence in those being trained as medical students or medical trainees. Practice variations and the influence of pharmaceuticals are considerable and widespread. The introduction of EBM has improved the critical appraisal and thinking skills of trainees. Knowledge of the existence of the Cochrane database, its use and rationale has provided trainees with an easy yet powerful tool to counterbalance the influence of authoritative figures, practice variations, expert opinions and drug industry influence. Initial successes have led it to become formally incorporated in the medical curriculum. Setbacks include difficulties in retrieval of articles due to unavailability and technical problems through the Internet. Information on diseases and issues associated primarily with developing countries are lacking in the present Cochrane database.
Methods:
Results:
Discussion: