Evidence based medicine summer school for undergraduate medical students using innovative methods

Abstract

Background: There is a clear need to train next generation clinicians in order to keep up-to date and ensure the best practice for patients. The aim of this study was to report the procedure of summer school held in Tabriz University of Medical Science, 2013. Students learnt about Evidenced Based Medicine (EBM) efficiently. Incorporating, interactive and innovative teaching methods were highlighted in this study. Method: A one week Summer school was held involving 60 medical students in Tabriz University of medical sciences in August 2013. They had learned about EBM and how to apply it using modern interactive ways, including Team-Based Learning (TBL), seminar-style presentation, introducing EBM journal club by using acting, moreover Interactive approaches, encouraging the sense of creativity and inspiration. Effectiveness of workshops was assessed utilizing pre- and post-course questionnaire and reflective journals. Results: 29students completed the pre- and post-course questionnaire. 82.8% (24 trainees) gain knowledge about the definition of EBM. 75.9% (22 trainees) partly trusted in the quality of articles which are published in well-known journals because they feel the need to critically appraise the evidences by themselves. Selecting the best evidences for answering clinical questions, students rely on RCTs 37.9% (11) and systematic reviews 27.6% (8). According to the outcomes of reflective journals, they referred to systematic reviews as the most difficult part and found appraising tools the most useful course. Conclusion: This EBM summer school deepened the medical students` impression of EBM and was efficient, according to the results of the post-course questionnaire. They found this summer school useful, fun and satisfying.