Table 4 Response frequency and means of ratings to the question: “On a scale ranging from ‘strongly disagree’ to ‘strongly agree’ how would you rate your opinion about the following statements?” among Sudanese medical students (n = 761)
Questions | Strongly disagree | Disagree | Neutral | Agree | Strongly agree | Students with EBM training | Students without EBM training | P – Value* |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | ||||
Evidence based medicine (EBM) is important for the practical work of physicians | 54 (7.1 %) | 33 (4.3 %) | 129 (17.0 %) | 248 (32.6 %) | 297 (39.0 %) | 3.95 ± 1.12 | 3.84 ± 1.31 | 0.9 |
During my studies, I would like to improve my skills in applying EBM during my practical work as a medical professional | 52 (6.8 %) | 41 (5.4 %) | 134 (17.6 %) | 239 (31.4 %) | 295 (38.8 %) | 3.92 ± 1.14 | 3.83 ± 1.27 | 0.7 |
EBM is important for patients to receive the optimal treatment | 46 (6.0 %) | 55 (7.2 %) | 147 (19.3 %) | 241 (31.7 %) | 272 (35.7 %) | 3.87 ± 1.11 | 3.74 ± 1.32 | 0.5 |
EBM facilitates decisions about individual patient’s care | 46 (6.0 %) | 48 (6.3 %) | 181 (23.8 %) | 257 (33.8 %) | 229 (30.1 %) | 3.78 ± 1.08 | 3.68 ± 1.26 | 0.6 |
EBM considers the personal expertise of physicians | 61 (8.0 %) | 91 (12.0 %) | 268 (35.2 %) | 239 (31.4 %) | 102 (13.4 %) | 3.32 ± 1.04 | 3.25 ± 1.24 | 0.5 |
EBM considers views and preferences of patients regarding their own therapy | 62 (8.1 %) | 112 (14.7 %) | 282 (37.1 %) | 205 (26.9 %) | 100 (13.1 %) | 3.26 ± 1.07 | 3.12 ± 1.20 | 0.088 |
It is important to incorporate research results into healthcare practice | 58 (7.6 %) | 51 (6.7 %) | 165 (21.7 %) | 237 (31.1 %) | 250 (32.9 %) | 3.78 ± 1.13 | 3.65 ± 1.38 | 0.7 |
All types of studies are of equal value | 186 (24.4 %) | 285 (37.5 %) | 178 (23.4 %) | 81 (10.6 %) | 31 (4.1 %) | 2.36 ± 1.09 | 2.22 ± 1.03 | 0.1 |
EBM means an unrealistic burden to health care professionals in the daily routine patient care | 165 (21.7 %) | 228 (30.0 %) | 242 (31.8 %) | 100 (13.1 %) | 26 (3.4 %) | 2.50 ± 1.05 | 2.38 ± 1.13 | 0.15 |
Textbooks are the most optimal source of information, when a question regarding the care of patients should be answered | 97 (12.7 %) | 196 (25.8 %) | 235 (30.9 %) | 179 (23.5 %) | 54 (7.1 %) | 2.92 ± 1.11 | 2.72 ± 1.16 | 0.016 |
As a future healthcare practitioner, I find life-long learning as vital | 71 (9.3 %) | 60 (7.9 %) | 167 (21.9 %) | 214 (28.1 %) | 249 (32.7 %) | 3.67 ± 1.23 | 3.66 ± 1.35 | 0.7 |
Mean Overall score | 2.88 ± 0.83 | 2.81 ± 0.73 | 0.2 |