Attitudes of teachers to evidence based medicine.
OBJECTIVE
To describe the attitudes of general practitioners and specialist clinical teachers toward teaching evidence based medicine (EBM).


METHODS
Questionnaire survey of 114 general practitioner and 162 specialist university teachers teaching EBM.


RESULTS
Two hundred and six (80%) teachers responded; 196 regularly consulted with patients, 21% had received training, and 40% taught EBM. Those with formal training (68%) taught more often than without (32%) (p = 0.0001), 27% had taught EBM for over 5 years. More GPs (57%) than specialists (40%) asked students to assist in finding evidence (p = 0.036). Most welcomed EBM and were confident in teaching it. Barriers included antagonism to EBM philosophy, shortage of time, and a need for training in teaching EBM.


CONCLUSIONS
Although not all trained, GPs and specialists teach EBM, enjoy doing so, and want to increase their ability to teach it.
Kljakovic
Marjan
M
Wellington School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Otago, New Zealand. marjan@wnmeds.ac.nz
Love
Tom
T
Gilbert
Amanda
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D004501:Education, Medical; D004504:Education, Medical, Undergraduate / Q000379:methods / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005180:Faculty, Medical / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009520:New Zealand; D013038:Specialization