Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The College of Medicine at AMA International University of Bahrain has a key role in training medical professionals to the highest internationally accepted standards. In keeping with these standards its teaching faculty recognises the importance of ensuring that its graduates are equipped with the knowledge and skills to enable them to use evidence in clinical decision making. This is the first such study investigating the knowledge and attitudes of medical students in Bahrain towards EBM.
Objectives: To assess their level of knowledge and attitudes towards EBM.
Methods: A cross sectional survey, using a previously piloted questionnaire, of the final year students and interns, at AMA IUB COM will be conducted in March thru to July 2012. Questions (14:Yes/No and open-ended) will cover; previous attendance at EBM workshops; understanding of the components of EBM, distinction between RCTs/non RCTs, literature reviews/systematic reviews, experience with accessing/assessing and applying evidence; perceived obstacles to implementing evidence. Responses and scores will be analysed and grouped by year of study and presented as pie charts and tables.
Results: The study is ongoing but preliminary results provide an indication that there is a positive attitude towards the concept of EBM albeit an incomplete understanding about how EBM can be implemented directly into the clinical setting. Early scores illustrate an eagerness by the students to learn more about the different sources of evidence and in particular their reliability. Most of the responders were aware of the Cochrane Library although unclear about how the reviews ‘appeared’ in the CL.
Conclusions: Medical students are already engaged with the Cochrane Collaboration through initiatives such as the Cochrane Students Journal Club on Facebook but these required wider dissemination and further consideration should be given to developing a student ‘chapter’ within CC.
Objectives: To assess their level of knowledge and attitudes towards EBM.
Methods: A cross sectional survey, using a previously piloted questionnaire, of the final year students and interns, at AMA IUB COM will be conducted in March thru to July 2012. Questions (14:Yes/No and open-ended) will cover; previous attendance at EBM workshops; understanding of the components of EBM, distinction between RCTs/non RCTs, literature reviews/systematic reviews, experience with accessing/assessing and applying evidence; perceived obstacles to implementing evidence. Responses and scores will be analysed and grouped by year of study and presented as pie charts and tables.
Results: The study is ongoing but preliminary results provide an indication that there is a positive attitude towards the concept of EBM albeit an incomplete understanding about how EBM can be implemented directly into the clinical setting. Early scores illustrate an eagerness by the students to learn more about the different sources of evidence and in particular their reliability. Most of the responders were aware of the Cochrane Library although unclear about how the reviews ‘appeared’ in the CL.
Conclusions: Medical students are already engaged with the Cochrane Collaboration through initiatives such as the Cochrane Students Journal Club on Facebook but these required wider dissemination and further consideration should be given to developing a student ‘chapter’ within CC.