Evidence-Based Medicine: Studying the Attitude of Medical Residents in Mashhad

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) means ensuring that the right patient has received the appropriate treatment and it strives to form a common scientific language for all doctors. It uses the combination of the best available knowledge (evidence) and clinical experience beside the patient values. This study was designed to investigate the attitude of medical residents of Mashhad University of Medical Sciences towards EBM. Materials and Methods: In this cross sectional study a self-designed questionnaire was used for data collection. The study was performed in the autumn of 2012 in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran. The study aimed at investigating the attitude of medical residents towards EBM and evaluating its use in medical practice. Questionnaires’ data were analyzed by the SPSS Version 13. Results: 49 (52.1%) residents were familiar with the concept of EBM whereas 45 (47.9%) were not. The rate of familiarity with EBM concepts was (26.5%) in the surgical fields and (73.5%) in the non-surgical ones, showing a meaningful difference (p=0.014). There was a significant correlation between the field of study and knowledge about the concepts of EBM, whereas a greater number of non surgical residents were familiar with its concept in comparison to surgical residents (73.5% vs. 26.5%, p=0.014). Conclusion: The concepts of EBM are familiar to (82%) of medical residents of Mashhad and regarding the increasing importance of this science, upgrading EBM concepts in a timely and accurate planning is highly recommended.