A descriptive analysis of a novel intervention to help residents become evidence users. (October 2013)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Korownyk, Christina; Ross, Shelley; Ma, Victoria; Aaron, Sarah; Allan, G. Michael
• Is Part Of: Medical teacher. Volume 35:Number 10(2013)
• Page Start: e1546
• Page End: e1550
• Publication Date: 2013-10
• Subjects: Medical education -- Periodicals; 610.711
• DOI: 10.3109/0142159X.2013.786807
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0142-159X

Abstract

<abstract> <title> <x xml:space="preserve">Abstract</x> </title> <p> <bold>Background and objectives</bold>: To evaluate the educational and clinical effectiveness of the 'Brief Evidence-Based Assessment of Research' (BEAR), a template to assist residents in searching, evaluating and integrating relevant medical literature into daily practice.</p> <p> <bold>Methods</bold>: We completed a descriptive analysis of BEARs submitted by first year residents between 2005 and 2007 at the University of Alberta Family Medicine Residency program.</p> <p> <bold>Results</bold>: 317 BEARs were analyzed. The most common type of question for which information was searched was therapy (59%). Residents searched Pubmed most often (38%) followed by Summary (i.e. Clinical Evidence) (22%) and Filtered sites (i.e. ACP Journal Club) (19%). Original research articles were the largest resource category used to answer questions (41%). Secondary peer-reviewed resources (filtered articles, summary sites, reviews/meta-analysis and guidelines) accounted for 48% of all resources used. 19% of residents reported a large change in practice with completion of the BEAR, 50% reported a small change, 12% stated they were reassured and 8% reported that the intervention was of no help to them.</p> <p> <bold>Conclusions</bold>: The BEAR facilitates the use of a variety of resources in answering clinical questions. 69% of users reported at least a small change in clinical practice, suggesting that the BEAR may be a useful tool in evidence-based resident education.</p> </abstract>