Dragan Ilic1, Katrina Tepper, Marie Misso. 1. Department of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, The Alfred Centre, Monash University, 99 Commercial Road, Melbourne VIC3004, Australia. dragan .ilic@monash.edu
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: Constructing an answerable question and effectively searching the medical literature are key steps in practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM). This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of delivering a single workshop in EBM literature searching skills to medical students entering their first clinical years of study. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with third-year undergraduate medical students. Participants were randomized to participate in a formal workshop in EBM literature searching skills, with EBM literature searching skills and perceived competency in EBM measured at one-week post-intervention via the Fresno tool and Clinical Effectiveness and Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire. RESULTS:A total of 121 participants were enrolled in the study, with 97 followed-up post-intervention. There was no statistical mean difference in EBM literature searching skills between the 2 groups (mean difference = 0.007 (P = 0.99)). Students attending the EBM workshop were significantly more confident in their ability to construct clinical questions and had greater perceived awareness of information resources. CONCLUSIONS: A single EBM workshop did not result in statistically significant changes in literature searching skills. Teaching and reinforcing EBM literature searching skills during both preclinical and clinical years may result in increased student confidence, which may facilitate student use of EBM skills as future clinicians.
RCT Entities:
OBJECTIVES: Constructing an answerable question and effectively searching the medical literature are key steps in practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM). This study aimed to identify the effectiveness of delivering a single workshop in EBM literature searching skills to medical students entering their first clinical years of study. METHODS: A randomized controlled trial was conducted with third-year undergraduate medical students. Participants were randomized to participate in a formal workshop in EBM literature searching skills, with EBM literature searching skills and perceived competency in EBM measured at one-week post-intervention via the Fresno tool and Clinical Effectiveness and Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire. RESULTS: A total of 121 participants were enrolled in the study, with 97 followed-up post-intervention. There was no statistical mean difference in EBM literature searching skills between the 2 groups (mean difference = 0.007 (P = 0.99)). Students attending the EBM workshop were significantly more confident in their ability to construct clinical questions and had greater perceived awareness of information resources. CONCLUSIONS: A single EBM workshop did not result in statistically significant changes in literature searching skills. Teaching and reinforcing EBM literature searching skills during both preclinical and clinical years may result in increased student confidence, which may facilitate student use of EBM skills as future clinicians.
Authors: Sharon E Straus; Michael L Green; Douglas S Bell; Robert Badgett; Dave Davis; Martha Gerrity; Eduardo Ortiz; Terrence M Shaneyfelt; Chad Whelan; Rajesh Mangrulkar Journal: BMJ Date: 2004-10-30
Authors: Laure Perrier; Ann Farrell; A Patricia Ayala; David Lightfoot; Tim Kenny; Ellen Aaronson; Nancy Allee; Tara Brigham; Elizabeth Connor; Teodora Constantinescu; Joanne Muellenbach; Helen-Ann Brown Epstein; Ardis Weiss Journal: J Am Med Inform Assoc Date: 2014-05-28 Impact factor: 4.497