IJSR - International Journal of Scientific Research

Dr. Zainab Albasrawi; Dr. Wala'a Alduhileb; Dr. Nada Albunian; Dr.Rasha Al-Shaikh

Volume : VIII, Issue : III, March - 2019

Undergraduate medical students' awareness and perception of barriers toward evidence-based medicine, Eastern Province, Saudi Arabia; 2015 - 2016

Dr. Zainab Albasrawi, Dr. Wala A Alduhileb, Dr. Nada Albunian, Dr. Rasha Al Shaikh

Abstract :

Introduction: Teaching Evidence–Based Medicine (EBM) is an essential part of developing competent future physicians. This study was designed to assess the level of knowledge, attitude, and perception of barriers to EBM among undergraduate medical students in the Eastern Province of KSA. Methodology: This was a cross–sectional descriptive study conducted through a modified self–administered questionnaire adapted from EBP questionnaire and was validated by the researchers. The questionnaires were distributed to the undergraduate medical students in their clinical years at King Faisal University (KFU) and University of Dammam (UOD) during 2015–2016. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS program. Results: Out of 1035, 738 students filled the questionnaire with a response rate 71.3%. The students in the study are found to have poor EBM knowledge (Î¼=3.499, SD=±1.99). More than half (62.7%) of the students strongly agree on the importance of EBM implementation in the clinical practice. Most of them believe that their patients have the ability to be involved in clinical decision–making and clinical trial studies. When the recent evidence contradicts the clinical judgment of the future physicians, 65% of the students choose to evaluate the evidence. Half of the students strongly support EBM introduction into their medical curriculum, and the majority of them show the intention to use EBM in their future practice. Lack of EBM education at the university level is noted as a barrier by most of the students (30.6% strongly agree, 31.3% partially agree), followed by lack of encouragement from teachers to attend EBM courses (26.2% strongly agree, 33.9% partially agree). Conclusion: There is an overall low level of EBM knowledge among the participants. However, their attitude toward EBM is positive. The most cited barriers to EBM use are lack of educational courses at the university level and lack of teachers’ encouragement to attend EBM courses.