Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice of Evidence-Based Medicine among Emergency Doctors in Kelantan, Malaysia.

Mohd Ghouse Ahmad Ghaus,Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman,Mohd Noor Norhayati

doi:10.3390/ijerph182111297

Mohd Ghouse Ahmad Ghaus, Tuan Hairulnizam Tuan Kamauzaman + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph182111297

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Abstract

This study aimed to determine the prevalence of high levels of knowledge, positive attitude, and good practice on evidence-based medicine (EBM) and identify the associated factors for practice score on EBM among emergency medicine doctors in Kelantan, Malaysia. This cross-sectional study was conducted in government hospitals in Kelantan. The data were collected from 200 emergency physicians and medical officers in the emergency department using the Noor Evidence-Based Medicine Questionnaire. Simple and general linear regressions analyses using SPSS were performed. A total of 183 responded, making a response rate of 91.5%. Of them, 49.7% had a high level of knowledge, 39.9% had a positive attitude and 2.1% had good practice. Sex, race, the average number of patients seen per day, internet access in workplace, having online quick reference application, and attitude towards EBM were significantly associated with EBM practice scores. It is recommended that appropriate authorities provide emergency doctors with broader access to evidence resources. EBM skill training should be enhanced in the current medical school curriculums.

Highlights

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is defined as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” [1](p. 71)
General linear regression showed that sex, ethnicity, the average number of patients seen per day, availability of subscribed online databases in the workplace, having online quick reference applications, and neutral attitude towards EBM were significantly associated with EBM practice scores (Table 2)
In comparison to a survey conducted among primary care doctors in Selangor, Malaysia, using a similar research instrument, it was found that 60.9% of the respondents had a moderate level of knowledge, whereas 6.2% had a low level of knowledge [17]

Summary

Introduction

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is defined as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” [1](p. 71). Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is defined as “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” [1]. The five basic steps in applying EBM include defining the problem, searching for resources and databases, critically evaluating information, obtaining valid evidence, and evaluating the usefulness and effectiveness of the evidence [3]. One of the most significant principles in EBM is the hierarchy in validating evidence based on which judgments are made, which indicates that it is critical to evaluate the value of evidence before making decisions. Evidence obtained by meta-analysis of several randomized controlled trials is highest in the hierarchy since they are designed to be unbiased and have a lower likelihood of systematic mistakes. A case series or expert opinion is frequently skewed by the author’s experience or opinions, and confounding factors are not controlled for [4]

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