Original Article Does a Brief Education Intervention Improve Comfort Level in Evidence Based Literature Search for General Practitioners

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Practicing evidence based medicine in developing countries with limited resources, can be cost effective as it reduces unnecessary tests and medications. Lack of knowledge about Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) and skills for the use of internet, search engine and PubMed hinders keeping abreast with the latest developments in medicine. This in turn creates a barrier for best clinical practice and professional development. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate if experiential learning in the form of a workshop improves the comfort level scores in searching for evidence. METHODS: A workshop was conducted on the principles of EBM, formulation of answerable questions through keywords, practice on the use of different search engines and evaluation of websites. RESULTS: Completed questionnaire of both pre and post workshop was obtained from 27 participants out of 30. Pre and post self perceived comfort level scores were calculated and compared by paired t test. In the pre workshop questionnaire participants reported being comfortable with using keywords and Google in searching for evidence. The post workshop comfort level scores were statistically significant for evidence based medicine (p = <0.001), Pub Med (p=0.002), indexed database of Pakistani medical literature (p = <0.001), clinical guideline sites (p=0.022), and evaluation of websites (p=0.005). CONCLUSION: Brief interventions like workshops can significantly improve skills for literature search and hence help in practicing EBM.