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Early introduction of an evidence-based medicine course to preclinical medical students

  • Innovations In Education And Clinical Practice
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Abstract

Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) has been increasingly integrated into medical education curricula. Using an observational research design, we evaluated the feasibility of introducing a 1-month problem-based EBM course for 139 first-year medical students at a large university center. We assessed program performance through the use of a web-based curricular component and practice exam, final examination scores, student satisfaction surveys, and a faculty questionnaire. Students demonstrated active involvement in learning EBM and ability to use EBM principles. Facilitators felt that students performed well and compared favorably with residents whom they had supervised in the past year. Both faculty and students were satisfied with the EBM course. To our knowledge, this is the first report to demonstrate that early introduction of EBM principles as a short course to preclinical medical students is feasible and practical.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. the Department of Medicine, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind

    Malathi Srinivasan MD & Michael Weiner MD, MPH

  2. Department of Pediatrics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind

    Philip P. Breitfeld MD & Gary Weiner MD

  3. the Ruth Lilly Medical Library, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind

    Fran Brahmi MLS, MA

  4. the Office of Medical Student and Curricular Affairs, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, Ind

    Keith L. Dickerson MS

  5. the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care, Indianapolis, Ind

    Malathi Srinivasan MD & Michael Weiner MD, MPH

  6. the Indiana University Center for Aging Research, Indianapolis, Ind

    Michael Weiner MD, MPH

Authors
  1. Malathi Srinivasan MD
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  2. Michael Weiner MD, MPH
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  3. Philip P. Breitfeld MD
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  4. Fran Brahmi MLS, MA
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  5. Keith L. Dickerson MS
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  6. Gary Weiner MD
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Additional information

This project was funded in part by the Department of Pediatrics and the Office of Medical Student and Curricular Affairs at Indiana University. Dr. Srinivasan was funded by the National Research Service Award Fellowship at the Regenstrief Institute for Health Care.

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Srinivasan, M., Weiner, M., Breitfeld, P.P. et al. Early introduction of an evidence-based medicine course to preclinical medical students. J GEN INTERN MED 17, 58–65 (2002). https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10121.x

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1046/j.1525-1497.2002.10121.x

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