The changing face of medical education: The impact and effectiveness of evidence generating community health project in medical students

Abstract

Background:Evidence-based practice usually refers to gathering quantitative data based upon the best decision about what constitutes effective or effi cient practice or what is sometimes referred to as "best practices". The objective of the present study was to evaluate the student's perception and learning effectiveness towards Evidence Generating Community Health Projects (EviGenCHIP). Materials and Methods: This study was questionnaire based cross sectional study carried out in SBKS MIRC, Sumandeep Vidyapeeth, Vadodara, Gujarat, India. A total of 110 MBBS students (III Year) participated. After obtaining ethical clearance the data was collected and analyzed. Data was compiled in excel sheet, analyzed for percentage and proportion. Results: In the present study 100 students (90.9%) believed that research in medical fi eld is important. On the contrary 40% students believed that there is no need to know about research methodology. After Evidence Generating Community Health Projects students were sensitized to the importance of protocol writing (56.3%), searching literature (40.9%), structured questionnaires, data collection and its analysis (45%), report writing (52.7%) and presentation as an integral part of research process. Conclusion: Evidence Generating Community Health Projects canbe an effective tool for medical education, where they become exposed and sensitized to the research process at undergraduate level. It also improves active learning in public health and research skills. This teaching and learning model can be considered in other medical schools in the country.