title: Effectiveness of a short-course in improving knowledge and skills on evidence-based practice.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To assess the effectiveness (change in knowledge and skills measured by the Fresno test) of a short course in Evidence Based Practice (EBP) carried out in a group of family medicine residents
  
  
  METHODS
  Before-after study. Participants' were 152 Family Medicine residents in their second year of the training programme. Settings were Primary Care Teaching Units in Catalonia. Intervention was comprised of a four half-day training course designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to practice evidence-based care. The main outcome measure was change in EBP knowledge and skills, measured using the Spanish version of the Fresno test (score range, 0-212)
  
  
  RESULTS
  The mean difference between pre-test and post-test was 47.7, a statistically significant result with 95% CI of 42.8-52.5 (p < 0.0001). An important improvement was observed in the questions related to calculations such as sensitivity, specificity, the absolute risk reduction or the number needed to treat. A more modest increase was found in the residents' knowledge and skills in finding the best clinical evidence, and appraising the validity and applicability of an article. Finally, a weak and non-statistically significant improvement was found in formulating a clinical question.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The study provides evidence for responsiveness to changes in knowledge and skills in EBP after an educational intervention.
authors: Divisió d'Avaluació, Servei Català de la Salut, Barcelona, Spain.
authors: Josep M
authors: JM
authors: Argimon-Pallàs
authors: Gemma
authors: G
authors: Flores-Mateo
authors: Josep
authors: J
authors: Jiménez-Villa
authors: Enriqueta
authors: E
authors: Pujol-Ribera
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D002983:Clinical Competence; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005194:Family Practice / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007396:Internship and Residency; D008297:Male