Article type
Abstract
Relevance and importance to patients: Patient care should be based on current and validated research. Therefore, evidence-based medicine needs to be incorporated into medical curricula.
Background: As scientific training is not mandatory in German medical education, a new model study program focuses on evidence-based medicine. A key module is an interactive course in which medical students conduct a shortened systematic review based on the Cochrane Handbook.
Objectives: To improve an interactive evidence-based medicine course for early medical students
Methods: The model study program includes a 7-semester scientific education, consisting of 3 modules: scientific methods seminars, a shortened systematic review, and a research project. The aim of module 2 is to understand the clinical relevance and to carry out basic steps of systematic reviews. The seven seminars are based on the Cochrane Handbook. Students are divided into two groups of 25 to encourage interactive work. In terms of cognitive alignment, the examination is a shortened systematic review in which students answer a self-developed research question. The course was evaluated with an online questionnaire.
Results: In 2022, students were satisfied with didactics and knowledge transfer, but missed the connection to future medical practice. Course outcomes in terms of grades were satisfactory. Specifically, students were able to develop feasible research questions, formulate inclusion and exclusion criteria and construct search strings, but had difficulty synthesizing study results and identifying potential sources of bias. To address these issues and students’ concerns, the 2023 seminars focused on working on the review papers within the seminars and allowed more time for synthesis of study results and critical appraisal. In addition, self-study online quizzes, a detailed marking matrix and additional consultations were provided. As a result, 2023 review papers showed improved quality and coherence, particularly in terms of synthesis and assessment of risk of bias. However, students still did not see the relevance to future medical practice.
Conclusions: The educational program demonstrates that the practical teaching of evidence-based medicine and Cochrane methodology to early medical students is feasible. The importance of reviews as a basis for guidelines for medical practice will be even more emphasized in the future.
Background: As scientific training is not mandatory in German medical education, a new model study program focuses on evidence-based medicine. A key module is an interactive course in which medical students conduct a shortened systematic review based on the Cochrane Handbook.
Objectives: To improve an interactive evidence-based medicine course for early medical students
Methods: The model study program includes a 7-semester scientific education, consisting of 3 modules: scientific methods seminars, a shortened systematic review, and a research project. The aim of module 2 is to understand the clinical relevance and to carry out basic steps of systematic reviews. The seven seminars are based on the Cochrane Handbook. Students are divided into two groups of 25 to encourage interactive work. In terms of cognitive alignment, the examination is a shortened systematic review in which students answer a self-developed research question. The course was evaluated with an online questionnaire.
Results: In 2022, students were satisfied with didactics and knowledge transfer, but missed the connection to future medical practice. Course outcomes in terms of grades were satisfactory. Specifically, students were able to develop feasible research questions, formulate inclusion and exclusion criteria and construct search strings, but had difficulty synthesizing study results and identifying potential sources of bias. To address these issues and students’ concerns, the 2023 seminars focused on working on the review papers within the seminars and allowed more time for synthesis of study results and critical appraisal. In addition, self-study online quizzes, a detailed marking matrix and additional consultations were provided. As a result, 2023 review papers showed improved quality and coherence, particularly in terms of synthesis and assessment of risk of bias. However, students still did not see the relevance to future medical practice.
Conclusions: The educational program demonstrates that the practical teaching of evidence-based medicine and Cochrane methodology to early medical students is feasible. The importance of reviews as a basis for guidelines for medical practice will be even more emphasized in the future.