European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

Background: In the last decade, teaching of the knowledge and skills required for the practice of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is taught through standalone courses and workshops in classrooms away from the clinical practice such as research centers.Objectives: To determine the level of knowledge, familiarity with sources and attitude towards Evidence-based Medicine among Family Medicine trainees in MakkahRegion 2017 as well as to identify barriers for its practical application.Subjects and methods: It was a cross-sectional included a representative sample of Family Medicine trainee enrolled in joint programs of FM in MakkahRegion (Makkah, Jeddah, and Taif).A self-administered valid questionnaire was used for data collection, including personal data, opinion, and attitudes of participant towards EBM, knowledge of EBM terms, familiarity and use of electronic EBM sources.Results: One hundred and eighty-six Family Medicine residents were included in the study. Exactly two-thirds of them were females. Majority of the participants (97.8%) were Saudis. The overall score of opinion and attitude towards EBM ranged between 22 and 40 with a mean of 34.09 (±) 3.19. Female residents expressed higher attitude score towards EBM than male residents (mean rank was 98.91 versus 82.68.(This was borderline significant, p=0.051. The overall score of familiarity and use of electronic EBM source ranged between 4 and 12 with a mean of 9.80 (±) 1.95. R1residents expressed the highest familiarity and use of electronic EBM source score (mean rank was 104.27) whereas those of R4 level expressed the lowest score (mean rank was 69.07), p=0.046. Also, residents of Makkah Family medicine residency program had the highest familiarity, and use of electronic EBM source score (mean rank was 108.93) whereas those of Jeddah program had the lowest score (mean rank was 75.25), p=0.001. The overall score of EBM knowledge ranged between 11 and 44 with a mean of 33.51 (±) 7.16. Lack of EBM source in the native language, lack of time to access EBM insufficiency of essential EBM skill in most areas of medicine and there is little or no evidence to guide practice were the most frequent barriers for applying EBM in practice.
Conclusion: Overall, family medicine resident physicians in the MakkahRegion showed a welcoming attitude towards evidence-based medicine, suboptimal knowledge of EBM some significant terms.