Objective
The aim of the present study was to examine the changes in knowledge, attitude,
and practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) among physicians.
Patients and methods
The present interventional study was conducted from December 2012 to December
2013 at Benha University Hospitals in the Qualibia governorate, Egypt. Data were
collected in three stages: first, by determining the physicians’ knowledge, attitude,
and practice toward EBM; second, by conducting an educational program to
increase awareness and improve attitude and practice of physicians toward
EBM; and, third, by determining their knowledge, attitude, and practice toward
EBM after the program. A total of 220 self-administrated questionnaires were
distributed to physicians in different specialties.
Findings
The response rate was 70.5% across different specialties. Overall, 73.2% of the
physicians had poor knowledge of EBM before the program, which decreased to
40.2% after the program. This change was statistically significant. Most of the
physicians had a high attitude score (92.3 and 97.3%) toward EBM before and after
the program, respectively. Poor percentage of physicians (before and after the
program) reported attending any courses in EBM (18.2 and 24.5%). More than 60%
physicians (before and after the program) used the Internet to inform their practice.
The most prevalent barrier against the use of EBM among physicians was the
attitude of colleagues (94.6% before and 89% after the program).
Conclusion
After the educational program, knowledge on evidence-based practice improved
markedly. Physicians’ attitude towards EBM was positive before and after the
program. Changes in practice were small, and were based on the frequency of
searching and appraisal activities.
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