Table 2 Evidence-based medicine knowledge, awareness, and attitudes; numbers (percentage) reflect the results only for data from closed questions
Item | Trainees (n = 170) | Specialists (n = 80) | p-value |
|---|---|---|---|
(A01) The concept of “evidence-based medicine”? a | 0.09 | ||
I have heard of it, but I do not know what it means … | 17 (10.0) | 2 (2.5) | |
I know, I understand…, I am not using it… | 27 (15.9) | 10 (12.5) | |
I know, I understand…, I am using it… | 125 (73.5) | 68 (85.0) | |
I have never heard of it | 1 (0.6) | 0 (0.00) | |
(A02) Source of information on EBM (multiple answers allowed)b | |||
Teachers | 143 (84.1) | 51 (63.8) | 0.0004 |
Physicians | 49 (28.8) | 30 (37.5) | 0.17 |
Colleagues | 18 (10.6) | 11 (13.8) | 0.46 |
Nowhere | 2 (1.2) | 0 (0.00) | 0.33 |
(A03) No. of correctly identified definitions c | 133 (78.2) | 56 (70.0) | 0.16 |
(A04) Uppermost in the hierarchy of evidence b | |||
Systematic reviews and Meta-analyses | 11 (6.5) | 3 (3.8) | 0.39 |
Systematic reviews | 3 (1.8) | 2 (2.5) | 0.71 |
Meta-analyses | 13 (7.6) | 9 (11.3) | 0.34 |
Randomized controlled trials (RCT) | 12 (7.1) | 9 (11.3) | 0.27 |
Systematic reviews, Meta-analyses, RCT | 19 (11.2) | 7 (8.8) | 0.05 |
(A05) Lowest in the hierarchy of evidence b | |||
In vitro research | 6 (3.5) | 1 (1.3) | 0.33 |
Animal study | 1 (0.6) | 1 (1.3) | 0.57 |
Idea, editorial, or expert opinions | 12 (7.1) | 3 (3.8) | 0.31 |
An animal research, in vitro research | 5 (2.9) | 1 (1.3) | 0.44 |
Idea, editorial, review or expert opinions, animal research, in vitro research | 10 (5.9) | 0 (0.0) | 0.03 |
(A06) Level of evidence considered when reading literature a | 0.21 | ||
Always | 70 (41.2) | 42 (52.5) | |
Sometimes | 72 (42.4) | 31 (38.8) | |
Never, but I know this classification | 5 (2.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
I have ignored this classification | 14 (8.2) | 6 (7.5) | |
I have never heard of it | 9 (5.3) | 1 (1.3) | |
(A07) Strength of evidence a | 0.34 | ||
Yes, always | 56 (32.9) | 34 (42.5) | |
Sometimes | 77 (45.3) | 36 (45.0) | |
Never, but I know this classification | 6 (3.5) | 1 (1.3) | |
I have ignored this classification | 9 (5.3) | 1 (1.3) | |
I have never heard of it | 22 (12.9) | 8 (10.0) | |
(A08) Continuing medical education: reading b | |||
Online free medical articles | 135 (79.4) | 64 (80.0) | 0.91 |
Online paid medical articles | 58 (34.1) | 38 (47.5) | 0.04 |
Printed free medical articles | 68 (40.0) | 24 (30.0) | 0.13 |
Printed paid medical articles | 28 (16.5) | 17 (21.3) | 0.36 |
Medical articles available on apps | 89 (52.4) | 35 (43.8) | 0.21 |
(A11) Reading scientific articles: preferences a | 0.28 | ||
Original articles | 80 (47.1) | 38 (47.5) | |
Meta-analyses | 49 (28.8) | 18 (22.5) | |
Systematic reviews | 31 (18.2) | 22 (27.5) | |
I do not know the difference | 5 (2.9) | 0 (0.0) | |
I do not read articles or journals; I prefer books | 5 (2.9) | 2 (2.5) | |
(A12) The use of EBM b | |||
Medical decisions | 166 (97.6) | 79 (98.8) | 0.53 |
To know what is new in the medical field | 104 (61.2) | 34 (42.5) | 0.01 |
To know the structure of a scientific paper | 109 (64.1) | 36 (45.0) | 0.004 |
I have not yet understood the usefulness of EBM | 3 (1.8) | 0 (0.0) | 0.23 |
I do not consider EMB in current practice | 0 (0.38) | 1 (1.3) | 0.41 |