Szu-Yu Chi1, Yu-Shiun Tsai2, Tien-Pei Fang3,4, Tao-Hsin Tung5, Ching-Chi Chi6,7. 1. Department of Political Science, College of Social Sciences, National Taiwan University, 1, Sec 4, Roosevelt Rd, 10617, Taipei, Taiwan. 2. Department of Medical Education, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, 6, Sec West, Chia-Pu Rd, 61363, Puzi, Chiayi, Taiwan. 3. Department of Respiratory Therapy, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Chiayi, 6, Sec West, Chia-Pu Rd, 61363, Puzi, Chiayi, Taiwan. 4. Department of Respiratory Care, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, 2, Sec West, Chia-Pu Rd, 61363, Puzi, Chiayi, Taiwan. 5. Evidence-Based Medicine Center, Taizhou Hospital of Zhejiang Province affiliated to Wenzhou Medical University, 150, Ximen Rd, 317000, Linhai, Taizhou, Zhejiang, China. 6. Department of Dermatology, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, 5, Fuxing St, Guishan Dist, 33305, Taoyuan, Taiwan. chingchi@cgmh.org.tw. 7. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, 259, Wenhua 1st Rd, Guishan Dist, 33302, Taoyuan, Taiwan. chingchi@cgmh.org.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice is among core competencies of health care professionals (HCPs). However, the levels of evidence-searching capability may differ among various disciplines of HCPs as they receive different education and trainings for various durations in medical schools and teaching hospitals. METHODS: This study aimed to compare the evidence-searching capability among different disciplines of HCPs and identify which aspects need to be reinforced. From a teaching hospital, we recruited 80 HCPs of various disciplines and compared their evidence-searching capability by using a validated scale. To examine if sex and education levels affect evidence-searching capability, we performed a multiple linear regression analysis with collinearity diagnostics. RESULTS: Physicians and pharmacists performed significantly better than other disciplines in the seven formative assessment items and the summative item (all P < 0.05). No collinearity was detected between discipline and age nor level of education. Except for the 2nd formative assessment item (correlation coefficient 0.24 ± 0.12, P = 0.04), participant's levels of education did not affect evidence-searching capability. Age was associated with lower evidence-searching capability in five formative and the summative assessment items. CONCLUSIONS: We found a better evidence-searching capability among physicians and pharmacists than other HCPs who may require more training on evidence-searching skills. Also, evidence-searching skills training should be provided to HCPs irrespective of age and education levels.
BACKGROUND: Evidence-based practice is among core competencies of health care professionals (HCPs). However, the levels of evidence-searching capability may differ among various disciplines of HCPs as they receive different education and trainings for various durations in medical schools and teaching hospitals. METHODS: This study aimed to compare the evidence-searching capability among different disciplines of HCPs and identify which aspects need to be reinforced. From a teaching hospital, we recruited 80 HCPs of various disciplines and compared their evidence-searching capability by using a validated scale. To examine if sex and education levels affect evidence-searching capability, we performed a multiple linear regression analysis with collinearity diagnostics. RESULTS: Physicians and pharmacists performed significantly better than other disciplines in the seven formative assessment items and the summative item (all P < 0.05). No collinearity was detected between discipline and age nor level of education. Except for the 2nd formative assessment item (correlation coefficient 0.24 ± 0.12, P = 0.04), participant's levels of education did not affect evidence-searching capability. Age was associated with lower evidence-searching capability in five formative and the summative assessment items. CONCLUSIONS: We found a better evidence-searching capability among physicians and pharmacists than other HCPs who may require more training on evidence-searching skills. Also, evidence-searching skills training should be provided to HCPs irrespective of age and education levels.
Entities:
Keywords:
Evidence‐based medicine; Information seeking behavior; Information storage and retrieval; Knowledge acquisition