Introducing a course on Evidence Based Medicine for undergraduate medical students – experience from an Indian medical school

Abstract

This article was migrated. The article was not marked as recommended. Introduction: Although evidence based medicine (EBM) is part of undergraduate training in several countries, Indian medical schools are yet to make a meaningful start. We report our experience with EBM training for undergraduate. Methods: Third year students undergoing clinical clerkship at a teaching hospital underwent an 8 week course on EBM with modules on concepts, formulating questions, searching for evidence and critical appraisal. Feedback was taken and assessment done on knowledge and searching skills. Results: 90% of students had poor awareness of EBM. 92% considered evidence the most important component of EBM; 5% considered clinical expertise and patient values as part of EBM. At baseline majority cited Google the most reliable search tool. Only 27% felt EBM relevant to their curriculum. 66% rated the course good, very good or excellent. Hands-on training enhanced learning lack of background knowledge of diseases hindered it. Conclusion: Awareness of EBM is low among undergraduates and most find it irrelevant to their curriculum. Our experience suggests that it is feasible to integrate EBM training into undergraduate curriculum. More studies reporting knowledge and skills before and after EBM courses would strengthen the cause for making it part of undergraduate medical curriculum in India.