PHP304 - INTRODUCTION OF EBM IN MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS' EDUCATION IN BULGARIA, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE HTA PROCESS - A PILOT STUDY

Abstract

EBM incorporation in medical schools education provides essential tools for students, and future medical professionals in many directions such as staying current with medical literature, develop their skills in critical appraise in new research and innovations as well as in the HTA process. HTA is a multidisciplinary evidence based process and EBM skills will be valuable tools to inform the policy decision makers, always considering patient values and preferences. The objective of this paper is to emphasize the necessity and importance of integrating EBM in medical curriculum in order to improve the quality of the education, and HTA process. One hundred and seventy two (172) practicing medical professionals and students were voluntarily participated in this pilot study. A paper questionnaire was used for collecting data. In this paper we partially demonstrate the results. Completed questionnaires were received from 123 medical professionals and 49 students. Of the respondents 57% were familiar with the term EBM, although only 32% were familiar with the definition of HTA. According to 34% of the respondents EBM improves the HTA process, 6% do not think so and 60% cannot evaluate. From data collected 48% of the participants believe that reducing health care costs is directly related to the application and understanding of EBM, 12% do not believe so and 41% cannot evaluate. The majority of them, 59% support the necessity of incorporating EBM in their medical education, 9% do not support, and 32% cannot evaluate. The distribution of responses show 71% of the responders would have further training (qualification, specialization) in order to successfully apply the EBM in their daily work. The study is on going. Data from this pilot study confirmed the necessity of incorporating EBM in medical education curriculum, as it will be helpful to the process of HTA.