Abstract
Objective: To assess the level of awareness, perceptions and practices of Jeddah's physicians towards Evidence Based Medicine (EBM), and Evidence Based Practice Guidelines (EBPGs).
Design: A cross-sectional study was done.
Setting: Selected Primary Health Care Centers (PHCCs), and outpatient clinics from King Abdulaziz University Hospital (KAUH)
Subjects: A sample of 260 physicians working at the chosen facilities
Intervention(s): Physicians were selected through stratified random sample method. A standardized, anonymous, self-administered questionnaire was used. Visual Analogue Scales were utilized to rate physicians' perceptions towards EBM. Descriptive and inferential statistics were done.
Main outcome measure(s): Identifying awareness, perceptions and practices of physicians towards EBM and EBPGs.
Results: Only less than one-third of the physicians reported that they can understand and explain EBM terms such as relative risk (29.6%), absolute risk (28.1%) and meta-analysis (28.5%). Most of the participants welcomed applying EBM in their practice. EBPG was reported as the most commonly used method for moving from opinion-based practice to EBM. Lack of training (86.2%) and internet accessibility (71.5%) hindered EBM application in practice. No statistical associations were found between both genders concerning their perceptions towards EBM. Physicians from KAUH had significantly better perception than PHCCs physicians (p < 0.01) regarding the opinion that "adoption of EBM placed a burden on their already overloaded schedules". Concerning practice, 41.5% of the physicians did not perform any search influenced by their practice during the preceding year.
Conclusion: Physicians had good perceptions towards EBM, but their awareness and practices need improvement. EBM training programs and increased workplace internet accessibility are required.