Attitudes of Dentists and Dental Students in Isfahan Province toward Evidence-Based Medicine

Document Type : Short Report

Authors

1 Department of Oral Medicine, Dental Research Center, Dental Research Institute, Faculty of Dentistry, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

2 Knowledge Utilization Research Center, University Research and Development Center, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

3 3Community Based Participatory Research Center, Iranian Institute for Reduction of High-Risk Behaviours, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.

4 Dentist, Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, Isfahan, Iran

10.22038/ebcj.2024.79434.2991

Abstract

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a progressing field of patient management with extensive advantages in dentistry. The aim of this study was to assess attitudes of dentists and dental students in Isfahan Province, Iran, towards EBM. This cross-sectional study was performed on 260 participants using the online version of the Evidence-based Practice Attitude Scale (EBPAS) questionnaire. University, year of study, gender, age, and participation in previous EBM course were also recorded. Data were analyzed by SPSS software, with a significance level of 0.05. The mean ±standard deviation of the total attitude score was 85.27±12.57. Significant score difference was not found between students and graduates, or the three universities (P>0.05). Participants with previous participation in EBM course had a more positive attitude compared with others (P=0.001). Despite the high mean score of evidence-based attitude among students and graduates, last two-year students and graduates had poor use of and familiarity with this approach in practice, so continuous and correct training is recommended.

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