Abstract
Musculoskeletal injury confers an enormous burden of preventable disability and mortality in low and moderate income countries. Appropriate orthopaedic and trauma care services are lacking. Leading international health agencies emphasize the critical need to create and sustain research capacity in the developing world as a strategic factor in the establishment of functional, independent health systems. One aspect of building research capacity is partnership between developing and developed countries, and knowledge sharing via these collaborations. This study evaluated the efficacy of a short, intensive course designed to educate surgeons on fundamental aspects of clinical research using evidence-based medicine principles. Orthopaedic surgeons from the United States and Canada presented a one-day course on the fundamentals of clinical research in Havana, Cuba. Knowledge acquisition was assessed on the part of course participants and surveyed current involvement with and attitudes towards clinical research. Questionnaires were presented to participants immediately preceding and following the course. The mean pre-test score was 43.9% (95% CI: 41.1-46.6%). The mean post-test score was 59.3% (95% CI: 56.5-62.1%). There were relative score increases in each subgroup based on professional level, subjective level of familiarity with evidence-based medicine concepts, and subjective level of experience in research. This study establishes the short-term efficacy of an intensive course designed to impart knowledge in evidence-based medicine and clinical research. Further study is necessary to determine the long-term benefits of this type of course. This may be a useful part of an overall strategy to build health research capacity in low and moderate-income countries, ultimately contributing to improved access to high-quality surgical care.
Highlights
A fundamental understanding of the concepts behind research design, implementation, and analysis is increasingly necessary on the part of physicians and surgeons in order to incorporate rapidly developing biomedical knowledge into practice and deliver the highest quality of patient care
All slides were in Spanish, and live interpreters translated for those presenters who lectured in English
No existing and validated tool addressed the content of our course, which included instruction on fundamental elements of evidence-based medicine (EBM) incorporated into instruction on practical aspects
Summary
A fundamental understanding of the concepts behind research design, implementation, and analysis is increasingly necessary on the part of physicians and surgeons in order to incorporate rapidly developing biomedical knowledge into practice and deliver the highest quality of patient care. Evidence-based medicine [EBM; or practice, as opposed to opinion-based medicine (Straus et al, 2004)] is the judicious and intentional application of the highest quality available medical knowledge, including epidemiology and clinical research, in conjunction with clinical acumen and experience to the treatment of an individual patient (Evidence Based Medicine Working Group, 1992; Sackett et al, 1996; CEBM, 2013). Clinical research is intimately connected to EBM The former provides material for the latter, and the practice of seeking data to answer clinical queries reveals when gaps in that material exist, provoking additional relevant research. Certain underlying knowledge and skills are necessary to both appraise and conduct such work (Evidence Based Medicine Working Group, 1992). The instruction did not extend to the interpretation and application of evidence-based guidelines to clinical care
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
