Effectiveness of a short-course in improving knowledge and skills on evidence-based practice

Abstract

BackgroundTo assess the effectiveness (change in knowledge and skills measured by the Fresno test) of a short course in Evidence Based Practice (EBP) carried out in a group of family medicine residentsMethodsBefore-after study. Participants' were 152 Family Medicine residents in their second year of the training programme. Settings were Primary Care Teaching Units in Catalonia. Intervention was comprised of a four half-day training course designed to develop the knowledge and skills required to practice evidence-based care. The main outcome measure was change in EBP knowledge and skills, measured using the Spanish version of the Fresno test (score range, 0-212)ResultsThe mean difference between pre-test and post-test was 47.7, a statistically significant result with 95% CI of 42.8-52.5 (p < 0.0001). An important improvement was observed in the questions related to calculations such as sensitivity, specificity, the absolute risk reduction or the number needed to treat. A more modest increase was found in the residents' knowledge and skills in finding the best clinical evidence, and appraising the validity and applicability of an article. Finally, a weak and non-statistically significant improvement was found in formulating a clinical question.ConclusionsThe study provides evidence for responsiveness to changes in knowledge and skills in EBP after an educational intervention.

Web-based evidence based practice educational intervention to improve EBP competence among BSN-prepared pediatric bedside nurses: a mixed methods pilot study

“…47). This observed effect size is consistent with intervention studies that have used the Fresno test or a revised version of the original Fresno as the instrument for measuring changes in knowledge and skills [60][61][62][63]. However, these reported effect sizes were interpreted from EBP competence studies in disciplines other than nursing that used alternative approaches to EBP training, over variable periods of time.…”

Is literature search training for medical students and residents effective? a literature review

“…Six studies reported question development results using the Fresno test. Of the six Fresno test articles, three reported a significant increase in the ability to form a clinical question [14][15][16], one reported no significant change [17], and two reported only an overall score [12,18]. Although the overall scores improved significantly, there was no separate reporting on the question specific to formulating a clinical question.…”

“…For example, to receive full credit, a user might choose an appropriate MeSH term and explain why searching with that MeSH term is better than performing a keyword search. All six studies reporting Fresno test scores showed a significant increase in overall scores post-intervention [12,[14][15][16][17][18]. Four of the studies also separately reported performance on the subsections of the test; all four reported significant skill improvement on the MED-LÉSÍE searching question [^] Article selection.…”

“…In studies where search strategies were graded, there was almost universal improvement in skills. Seven studies measured search strategies using locally developed tools [8,[19][20][21][22][23][24], and six used the Fresno test [12,[14][15][16][17][18].…”

Impact of training on general practitioner’s knowledge, attitude and practices regarding emergency contraception in Hyderabad

“…It is found that interactive, close to practice training with adequate continuous support is more cost effective than traditional off site training courses. 10 , 11 Charandabi and associates in a cluster randomized trial found peer education using existing human resources and infrastructure as a useful strategy for imparting education and improving performance in a large group of family planning service providers. 12 At present there is no organized continuous medical education programme, offered by Pakistan medical licensing authority or medical universities for in-service health care providers of public & private sector, due to lack of policy and scarcity of human and financial resources.…”