Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the process of identifying and assessing the best available scientific evidence and integrating this evidence with the clinician's judgment and the patient's values to make medical decisions [1].
Awareness of the latest scientific evidence and the ability to critically appraise literature and assess its applicability has been identified as integral to the practice of EBM [2].
There are many advantages to practice EBM. Those patients who receive evidence-based therapies have better outcomes than those who do not [3] .Many studies were done all over the world to evaluate the awareness, attitudes and practices of EBM. In a study conducted for general practitioners (GPs) in England, respondents welcomed EBM and agreed that its practice would improve patient care [4].
In another study in Jordan 95%of family physicians had positive attitudes toward EBM. The highest percentage of knowledge was 29% for knowledge about absolute risk and also for systematic review. Also 9.9% of the studied sample reported using EBM in 75%-100% of their clinical practices [5].
In Egypt, a study conducted in Ain Shames university to determine the knowledge, attitudes and practices of EBM among Residents revealed that, the highest awareness of EBM resources 73.6% was reported for PubMed with poor awareness of other resources and most of residents (98%) were aware of some technical terms. The majority of Residents welcomed EBM .Lack of personal time was reported by 76.8% as a barrier against practicing EBM [6].
Few studies have been carried out in Egypt to assess the awareness of physicians towards EBM . Most studies assessing the impact of teaching EBM have focused on medical students and residents, rather than on practicing physicians. Establishing an educational program about EBM and measuring the change in physician's knowledge, attitudes towards EBM, their skills to practice it and barriers to move from opinion based to evidence based practices. The results would help to establish the educational requirements necessary for greater use of EBM in medicine. Benha Faculty of Medicine Hospitals have been selected as it is the only University hospital present in AL Qualibia governorate.
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