title: Evidence-based medicine as a tool for clinical decision-making in Puerto Rico.
abstract: Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is defined as "the process of systematically finding, appraising and using contemporaneous research findings as the basis for clinical decisions". Although EBM has been extensively described across the Americas and Europe, no study has looked at the practice of EBM in Puerto Rico. A cross-sectional analysis based on a 23-item questionnaire was employed. We showed that there is a high use (88%) and familiarity (93%) with EBM, and that physicians keep a positive attitude towards EBM (80%) in Puerto Rico. There is an over-representation of academicians (58.9% vs. 34.6%, p = 0.02) and an under-representation of solo office practitioners (10.5% vs. 26.9%, p = 0.03) among EBM users. Additionally, patient workload (48%), time constraints (36%), and limited access to the Internet (28%) were the most frequently cited obstacles to the practice of EBM in Puerto Rico. Taken together, these results help create a cross-sectional profile of EBM practice among Puerto Rican physicians.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, University of Puerto Rico, Medical Sciences Campus, San Juan, PR.
authors.forename: Edgardo R
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Parrilla-Castellar
authors.forename: Rebecca
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Almeyda
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Nogales
authors.forename: Mariella
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Vélez
authors.forename: María
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Ramos
authors.forename: José E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Rivera
authors.forename: Blachy
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Dá Vila
authors.forename: Vivian
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Torres
authors.forename: José
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Capriles
authors.forename: Karlis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Adamsons
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011647:Puerto Rico; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires