Systematic Review in Dentistry: Awareness and Perception among the Faculty of Four Indian Dental Institutions

Abstract

Context (Background): Systematic review (SR) is the key element of evidence based practice (EBP) and is especially important in today’s dental practice. Aim: To assess the awareness and perception about systematic review in dentistry among the dental faculty. Method and Material: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 122 dental faculty of the four dental colleges in India. A self-administered, structured, self-designed, validated and pilot tested 14 item questionnaire was used for data collection. Q1-2 assessed awareness and Q3-5 assessed the perception. The collected data was analyzed descriptively (number and percentages) Result: Only 110 (90.16%) completed the questionnaire entirely. There were 72 females and 38 males aged between 27 years to 58 years. The knowledge about EBP terminologies was very low. Only 13.63% participants were able to complete the evidence based pyramid correctly, 60% reported that it is hard to relate SR findings to patient care, 72.72% agree that SR can be undertaken as library dissertation for postgraduate studies and 100% have preferred past clinical experience as first preference in clinical decision making. Lack of access to full text articles was reported as a major barrier by 81.81% participants followed by lack of skill to appraise scientific articles (78.18%). Conclusion: The awareness about Systematic review among the dental faculty is low and there is a positive perception towards learning, undertaking training and practicing EBP.