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Extended Evaluation of a Longitudinal Medical School Evidence-Based Medicine Curriculum

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ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is an important element of medical education. However, limited information is available on effective curricula.

OBJECTIVE

To evaluate a longitudinal medical school EBM curriculum using validated instruments.

DESIGN, PARTICIPANTS, MEASUREMENTS

We evaluated EBM attitudes and knowledge of medical students as they progressed through an EBM curriculum. The first component of the curriculum was an EBM “short course” with didactic and small-group sessions occurring at the end of the second year. The second component integrated EBM assignments with third-year clinical rotations. The 15-point Berlin Questionnaire was administered before the course in 2006 and 2007, after the short course, and at the end of the third year. The 212-point Fresno Test was administered before the course in 2007 and 2008, after the short course, and at the end of the third year. Self-reported knowledge and attitudes were also assessed in all three classes of medical students.

RESULTS

EBM knowledge scores on the 15-point Berlin Questionnaire increased from baseline by 3.0 points (20.0%) at the end of the second year portion of the course (p < 001) and by 3.4 points (22.7%) at the end of the third year (p < 001). EBM knowledge scores on the 212-point Fresno Test increased from baseline by 39.7 points (18.7%) at the end of the second year portion of the course (p < 001) and by 54.6 points (25.8%) at the end of the third year (p < 001). On a 5-point scale, self-rated EBM knowledge increased from baseline by 1.0 and 1.4 points, respectively (both p < 001). EBM was felt to be of high importance for medical education and clinical practice at all time points, with increases noted after both components of the curriculum.

CONCLUSIONS

A longitudinal medical school EBM was associated with markedly increased EBM knowledge on two validated instruments. Both components of the curriculum were associated with gains in knowledge. The curriculum was also associated with increased perceptions of the importance of EBM for medical education and clinical practice.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of General Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Colin P. West MD, PhD & Furman S. McDonald MD, MPH

  2. Division of Biomedical Statistics and Informatics, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Colin P. West MD, PhD

  3. Division of Primary Care Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Thomas M. Jaeger MD

  4. Division of Hospital Internal Medicine, Mayo Clinic, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA

    Furman S. McDonald MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Colin P. West MD, PhD
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  2. Thomas M. Jaeger MD
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  3. Furman S. McDonald MD, MPH
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Correspondence to Colin P. West MD, PhD.

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West, C.P., Jaeger, T.M. & McDonald, F.S. Extended Evaluation of a Longitudinal Medical School Evidence-Based Medicine Curriculum. J GEN INTERN MED 26, 611–615 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1642-8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11606-011-1642-8

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