title: Teaching evidence-based medicine more effectively.
abstract: Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) is becoming an integral component of graduate medical education competency and a requirement for grad medical education practice-based learning core competency. This study tries to compare the efficacy of conferences utilizing small-group discussions with the traditional conference method in enhancing EBM competency. The participants in this randomized controlled trial (RCT) were 170 members of the medical faculty who were divided into two groups of 86 (intervention) and 84 (control). Following the intervention, EBM competency was assessed by a written examination. statistical analysis made use of chi-square test, independent sample t-test and relative risks for univariate analysis. Mantel-Hanszel was used for bivariate analysis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate multivariate-adjusted associations between EBM educational intervention and EBM knowledge, attitude and skills. A new indicator of number needed to intervention (NNI) was defined and computed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The results proved conference along with small-group discussion to be a more effective teaching method with P=0.001 on knowledge, P<0.001 for attitude and skills P<0.001 in an EBM exam when compared with medical faculty members who did not participate in EBM educational intervention (n=84). Moreover, they had also increased confidence with critical appraisal skills, and searching EBM resources.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Conferences followed by small-group discussions significantly enhance EBM knowledge, attitude, critical appraisal skills and literature review skills.
authors.affiliation: Department of Social Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. hatmizn@sina.tums.ac.ir
authors.forename: Zinat Nadia
authors.initials: ZN
authors.lastname: Hatmi
authors.forename: Sousan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Tahvildari
authors.forename: Soheila
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Dabiran
authors.forename: Suraya
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Soheili
authors.forename: Ahmad
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Sabouri Kashani
authors.forename: Maedeh
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Raznahan
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D032882:Comprehension; D003479:Curriculum; D004503:Education, Medical, Graduate; D004521:Educational Measurement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005180:Faculty, Medical; D005260:Female; D006126:Group Processes; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D007492:Iran; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016016:Proportional Hazards Models; D012577:Schools, Medical; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*