title: The first center for evidence-based medicine in Lithuania: an opportunity to change culture and improve clinical practice.
abstract: In post-Soviet countries, where medical practice largely relies on experience alone, the incorporation of the best research evidence in clinical practice is limited. In order to promote the awareness and utilization of evidence-based medicine (EBM) among Lithuanian doctors, we organized EBM conferences in each of the two Lithuanian medical schools. More than 500 medical professionals and students attended the conferences in Vilnius (2013) and Kaunas (2014) demonstrating that there is a high demand for formal EBM teaching. Building on the success of these seminal conferences, and to start addressing the lack of EBM practice in the country, the first Lithuanian Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine was established at Vilnius University Medical Faculty in 2014. The Centre will focus on the implementation of EBM teaching in medical school curriculum, formulating management guidelines, writing systematic reviews and supporting Lithuanian authors in doing so.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Clinic of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Tumas
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Beinortas
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Clinic of Internal Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania.
authors.forename: Karolis
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Bauza
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care, Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
authors.forename: Jeremy
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Howick
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care, Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Nunan
authors.affiliation: Centre for Evidence Based Medicine, Nuffield Department of Primary Care, Health Sciences, University of Oxford, Oxford.
authors.forename: Kamal Ram
authors.initials: KR
authors.lastname: Mahtani
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D003479:Curriculum; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D006801:Humans; D008097:Lithuania; D012577:Schools, Medical / Q000592:standards*; D013663:Teaching / Q000592:standards*
keywords: Centre; Lithuania; evidence‐based medicine