Assessment of the understanding of evidencebased medicine among undergraduate medical students in Gadarif University, Sudan

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) has become important for
integrating critical appraisal of research evidence into routine clinical practice.
Increasingly, acquiring knowledge and skills for this new concept is becoming
a core competence for all doctors. This study aimed to assess knowledge and
attitudes toward EBM among undergraduate medical students at the Faculty
of Medicine, Gadarif University, Sudan.
Method: This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during the
2019-2020 academic year, and 150 undergraduate students from Gadarif
University’s Faculty of Medicine participated. Convenience sampling was
employed to gather data. A self-administered questionnaire was used to
assess students’ knowledge and attitudes towards EBM. SPSS version 23
was used to analyse the data.
Results: Of the 150 students involved, 94 (62.7%) of them were not aware
of EBM, and 96 (64%) did not understand the concept; 133 (88.7%) had poor
knowledge of the basic components of EBM; 14 (9.3%) understood the term
PICO (Problem, Information/Intervention, Comparison, Outcome) which is the
standard method for searching evidence. Participants considered/mentioned
the following methods for obtaining evidence: Google search 81 (54%),
Cochrane Library 10 (6.7%), TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice) 3 (2%),
others 42 (28%), and 14 (9.3%) did not respond. Students’ perceptions of
the validity of EBM implementation across learning phases were as follows:
35 (23.3%) for basic science, 88 (58.7%) for clinical practice, and 27 (18%)
considered it not useful.
Conclusion: The study found that students had poor knowledge of EBM but
positive attitudes towards it, supporting the recommendation to implement
EBM in the curriculum.