Purpose: To addresse five research questions: Do physicians know about the three important aspects of EBM? What are their attitudes towards EBM? Do they use EBM methods in their clinical practice? Do they use EBM based information sources? Do they believe EBM changed medical practice during the last 10 years?
Method: A random sample of 1,400 physicians in Norway received a questionnaire on EBM and 976 (70%) responded. The questionnaire had 27 items on EBM, most of them presented as statements with 5-point Likert score. Data were analysed with descriptive statistics and principal component analysis.
Result: 87% of the physicians mentioned randomised clinical trials as a key aspect of EBM, 53% clinical expertise and only 19% patient values. Nearly half of the respondents considered that their practice had always been evidence-based. 80% considered that EBM helps patients to improve clinical practice, but 54% found it difficult to search for evidence. When faced with a clinical problems 86% would ask a colleague, but only 27% would search the Cochrane Library. Medical progress was reported among 86% as an important reasons for change, while only 39% indicated EBM. The principal component analysis indicated that junior doctors in hospital had the most positive attitudes towards EBM while private specialists were most negative.
Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that physicians have a limited knowledge of the key aspects of EBM but a positive attitude towards the concept. They have limited experience in the practice of EBM and are rather indifferent to the impact of EBM on medical practice. For solving a patient problem, consulting a colleague was regarded far more important than searching evidence based resources.
Candidate for the Lee B. Lusted Student Prize Competition