title: Adopting a blended learning approach to teaching evidence based medicine: a mixed methods study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a core unit delivered across many medical schools. Few studies have investigated the most effective method of teaching a course in EBM to medical students. The objective of this study was to identify whether a blended-learning approach to teaching EBM is more effective a didactic-based approach at increasing medical student competency in EBM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A mixed-methods study was conducted consisting of a controlled trial and focus groups with second year graduate medical students. Students received the EBM course delivered using either a didactic approach (DID) to learning EBM or a blended-learning approach (BL). Student competency in EBM was assessed using the Berlin tool and a criterion-based assessment task, with student perceptions on the interventions assessed qualitatively.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 61 students (85.9%) participated in the study. Competency in EBM did not differ between the groups when assessed using the Berlin tool (p = 0.29). Students using the BL approach performed significantly better in one of the criterion-based assessment tasks (p = 0.01) and reported significantly higher self-perceived competence in critical appraisal skills. Qualitative analysis identified that students had a preference for the EBM course to be delivered using the BL approach.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Implementing a blended-learning approach to EBM teaching promotes greater student appreciation of EBM principles within the clinical setting. Integrating a variety of teaching modalities and approaches can increase student self-confidence and assist in bridging the gap between the theory and practice of EBM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Epidemiology & Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Level 6, The Alfred Centre, 99 Commercial Rd, Melbourne 3004, VIC, Australia. dragan.ilic@monash.edu.
authors.forename: Dragan
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ilic
authors.forename: William
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Hart
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Fiddes
authors.forename: Marie
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Misso
authors.forename: Elmer
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Villanueva
mesh_terms: D003479:Curriculum; D004521:Educational Measurement; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods*