![Sample our Medicine, Dentistry, Nursing & Allied Health journals, sign in here to start your FREE access for 14 days]({"type":"image" , "src" : "/sda/5944/TOC-Subject-Sample-2021-Medicine-Dentistry-Nursing-Allied-Health.jpg"})
Abstract
Background: The evidence-based medicine (EBM) approach to clinical practice has been incorporated into medical training around the world. Whilst EBM is a component of the ‘foundation years’ (FY) programme, it appears to lack a firm foundation in the UK undergraduate curriculum.
Aim: To identify whether the teaching of EBM is adequately supported by the guideline ‘Tomorrow's Doctors’ (TD-2003).
Methods: We mapped TD-2003 against the five steps of EBM and also reviewed the literature for reports concerning the introduction of EBM into undergraduate curricula.
Results: Whilst all five steps of EBM can be mapped against TD-2003, the guidance makes no explicit reference to EBM and a coherent framework is lacking. The focus of undergraduate EBM teaching should be on ‘using’ research evidence (rather than undertaking research). The current emphasis on ‘therapy’ should be expanded to include the EBM-related issues of ‘diagnosis, prognosis and harm’. UK medical schools also need to exploit the NHS investment in ‘national electronic libraries’.
Additional information
Notes on contributors
Mike Crilly
MIKE CRILLY MB, ChB, MPH, MRCGP, MFPHM, MD is Senior Lecturer in Clinical Epidemiology in the Institute of Applied Health Sciences at Aberdeen University Medical School.
Paul Glasziou
PAUL GLASZIOU MB, BS, MRCP, PhD is Professor of Evidence-Based Medicine at the Department of Primary Health Care in the University of Oxford, Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine and Editor of the Evidence-Based Medicine Journal.
Carl Heneghan
CARL HENEGHAN BM, BCH, MA, MRCGP is a Senior Clinical Research Fellow at the Department of Primary Health Care at the University of Oxford and Deputy Director of the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine.
Emma Meats
EMMA MEATS BSc, MSc is a Research Assistant at the Department of Primary Health Care and Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in the University of Oxford.
Amanda Burls
AMANDA BURLS MB, BS, BA, MSc, FFPH is Director of Postgraduate Programmes in Evidence-Based Health Care at the Department of Primary Health Care in the University of Oxford.