title: A pilot study exploring the relationship between lifelong learning and factors associated with evidence-based medicine.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To explore possible relationships between residents' lifelong learning orientation, skills in practicing evidence-based medicine (EBM), and perceptions of the environment for learning and practicing EBM.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a pilot study with a cross-sectional survey design. Out of 60 residents in a medical residency program, 29 participated in the study. Data were collected using a survey that comprised three sections: the JeffSPLL Scale, EBM Environment Scale, and an EBM skill questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS and were reported with descriptive and inferential statistics (mean, standard deviation, Pearson's correlation, and a two-sample t-test).
  
  
  RESULTS
  Mean scores on the JeffSPLL Scale were significantly correlated with perceptions of the EBM Scale and use of EBM resources to keep up to date or solve a specific patient care problem. There was a significant correlation between mean scores on the EBM Scale and hours per week spent in reading medical literature to solve a patient care problem. Two-sample t-tests show that residents with previous training in research methods had significantly higher scores on the JeffSPLL Scale (p=0.04), EBM Scale (p=0.006), and self-efficacy scale (p =0.024).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Given the fact that physicians are expected to be lifelong learners over the course of their professional career, developing residents' EBM skills and creating interventions to improve specific areas in the EBM environment would likely foster residents' lifelong learning orientation.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biomedical Sciences, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Rochester, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Misa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Mi
authors.affiliation: Department of Internal Medicine, Oakland University William Beaumont School of Medicine, Royal Oak, Michigan, USA.
authors.forename: Alexandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Halalau
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D035843:Biomedical Research / Q000639:trends; D002983:Clinical Competence; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004502:Education, Medical, Continuing / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D005260:Female; D006184:Habits; D006801:Humans; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D010865:Pilot Projects; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: evidence-based medicine; information management skill; learning environment; lifelong learning; medical residents; self-efficacy