33 Longitudinal curriculum for certified training in evidence-based medicine: certified evidence-based medicine practitioner (CEBMP)

Abstract

Objectives Training in evidence based medicine practice is a mandatory core competency of practice based learning and improvement (PBLI) of ACGME standards.Reflective medical education is a triggering point for self-directed learning at the point of care in wards, clinics and in operating rooms to capture patient specific clinical queries. Both these skills can be taught through a longitudinal curriculum which emphasizes on patient and learner-centered education. However, there is no formal longitudinal curriculum to teach reflective learning and evidence-based medicine to medical students and trainees in a clinically integrated learning environment during multiyear training. Web based certification training is a growing trend to demonstrate commitment to professionalism, and offers a formal training to meet the standards for self-directed learning for professional development Method Our objective is to implement a web based longitudinal curriculum for certified training in evidence-based medicine. We plan to customized specialty based longitudinal training in evidence based medicine practicing skills. Furthermore, our goal is to identify the areas of insufficient or poor evidence in each specialty to emphasize the training in skills in appraising and interpreting evidence type in the hierarchy of evidence-based medicine resource’s pyramid. EBM curriculum will include longitudinal training both in inpatient and outpatient setting to capture all relevant point of care patient centered clinical queries mapped to specialty topics of insufficient evidence. A built-in knowledge resource, multi modal teaching methods including small group teaching, e- learning and journal club will ensure a comprehensive training in EBM. The ultimate outcome will be a certified training in evidence-based medicine at the conclusion of the residency training for life long evidence-based practice. Results We have implemented a web-based EBM curriculum platform hosted at www.ebmcentral.net. Preliminary testing at various workshops have been conducted with positive feedback. Beta study results showed that web based longitudinal curriculum provides an excellent opportunity to train students, resident and faculty in practicing evidence-based medicine through a formal longitudinal EBM curriculum. A clinically integrated curriculum along with innovative EBM tools provides a simulated article reading and appraisal training. A point of care query capturing tool and meta search engine for EBM resources provides a convenient platform to trigger self-directed point of care learning for EBM cycle. Self-directed web-based assignments along with both summative and formative assessment ensure a continuous growth of required competencies in longitudinal curriculum timeline. Lastly, research dissemination through a collaborative crowd research environment to synthesize research evidence such as systematic review is also integrated. Conclusions We have conceived and implemented a web based longitudinal curriculum for a certified training in evidence-based medicine i.e Certified evidence-based medicine practitioner (CEBMP). Our platform has provided preliminary supportive evidence of enhancing reflective learning, knowledge gaps and needs assessment, and clinically integrated formal training in evidence-based medicine. A personal knowledge repository along with acquired skills of evidence-based medicine including question formulation, information mastery, critical appraisal, research synthesis and interpretation provides a foundation for lifelong self-directed learning for evidence-based practice. We plan to conduct a randomized clinical trial to assess the role of our longitudinal curriculum in providing certified training in evidence-based medicine to medical students, residents and faculty.