Knowledge and Attitude Toward Evidence-Based Medicine and Associated Factors Among Medical Interns in Amhara Regional State Teaching Hospitals, Northwest Ethiopia: Cross-sectional Study.

Delelegn Emwodew,Adamu Takele,Nebiyu Mesfin,Tesfahun Melese,Binyam Tariku

doi:10.2196/28739

Abstract

BackgroundEvidence-based medicine (EBM) is widely accepted in medicine. It is necessary to improve the knowledge and attitudes of medical students in the use of evidence. In Ethiopia, little is known about medical students’ knowledge and attitudes toward EBM.ObjectiveThis study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward EBM and its associated factors among medical interns in teaching hospitals.MethodsA cross-sectional survey was conducted using a random sample of medical interns in teaching hospitals in Ethiopia. Multivariable logistic regression analyses were used to identify the factors associated with the knowledge and attitudes toward EBM. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% confidence interval and P≤.05 was used to quantify strength of association between variables.ResultsOut of a sample of 423 medical interns, 403 completed the questionnaire (95.3% response rate). Overall, 68.0% (274/403 of respondents had a favorable attitude toward EBM and 57.1% (230/403) had good knowledge of EBM. The majority (355/403, 88.1%) of participants had internet access. Only 19.6% (79/403) of respondents had received EBM-related training. Respondents’ knowledge of EBM was associated with previous EBM training (AOR 2.947, 95% CI 1.648-5.268, P<.001), understanding of sensitivity (AOR 2.836, 95% CI 1.824-4.408, P=.003), and internet access (AOR 2.914, 95% CI 1.494-5.685, P=.002). The use of an electronic database as a source of information (AOR 1.808, 95% CI 1.143-2.861, P=.01) and understanding of absolute risk reduction (AOR 2.750, 95% CI 1.105-6.841, P=.03) were predictors of positive attitudes.ConclusionsThis study demonstrates a lack of formal EBM training and awareness of basic concepts of EBM among medical interns. Medical intern attitudes toward EBM are relatively good. To enhance EBM knowledge and skills, formal teaching of EBM should be integrated into medical education.

Highlights

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the systematic identification, evaluation, and use of up-to-date research evidence as the basis for clinical decisions [1]
The results of this study revealed that medical interns have limited knowledge of the basics of EBM but have relatively positive attitudes
The results of this study revealed that the majority (68.0%) of participants had a positive attitude toward EBM

Summary

Introduction

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the systematic identification, evaluation, and use of up-to-date research evidence as the basis for clinical decisions [1]. The practice of EBM means integrating clinical expertise and the best available evidence with the ideas, concerns, and expectations of individual patients [2,3]. EBM has the potential to improve the continuity and uniformity of care through the development of common approaches and guidelines [5,6] It can help clinicians make better use of limited resources by enabling them to evaluate the clinical- and cost-effectiveness of treatments and services [6]. Objective: This study aimed to assess the knowledge and attitudes toward EBM and its associated factors among medical interns in teaching hospitals. Respondents’ knowledge of EBM was associated with previous EBM training (AOR 2.947, 95% CI 1.648-5.268, P

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