Evidence-based medicine training during residency: a randomized controlled trial of efficacy.
BACKGROUND
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been widely integrated into residency curricula, although results of randomized controlled trials and long term outcomes of EBM educational interventions are lacking. We sought to determine if an EBM workshop improved internal medicine residents' EBM knowledge and skills and use of secondary evidence resources.


METHODS
This randomized controlled trial included 48 internal medicine residents at an academic medical center. Twenty-three residents were randomized to attend a 4-hour interactive workshop in their PGY-2 year. All residents completed a 25-item EBM knowledge and skills test and a self-reported survey of literature searching and resource usage in their PGY-1, PGY-2, and PGY-3 years.


RESULTS
There was no difference in mean EBM test scores between the workshop and control groups at PGY-2 or PGY-3. However, mean EBM test scores significantly increased over time for both groups in PGY-2 and PGY-3. Literature searches, and resource usage also increased significantly in both groups after the PGY-1 year.


CONCLUSIONS
We were unable to detect a difference in EBM knowledge between residents who did and did not participate in our workshop. Significant improvement over time in EBM scores, however, suggests EBM skills were learned during residency. Future rigorous studies should determine the best methods for improving residents' EBM skills as well as their ability to apply evidence during clinical practice.
Feldstein
David A
DA
University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, 310 N Midvale Blvd, Room 205, Madison, WI 53705, USA. df2@medicine.wisc.edu
Maenner
Matthew J
MJ
Srisurichan
Rachaya
R
Roach
Mary A
MA
Vogelman
Bennett S
BS
D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002983:Clinical Competence / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D003479:Curriculum; D004493:Education; D004521:Educational Measurement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education* / Q000379:methods; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D033181:Information Dissemination; D007396:Internship and Residency / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014481:United States
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