Study shows BMJ Best Practice supports delivery of evidence-based medicine
The results of a research study published in Medical Teacher, shows the impact of BMJ Best Practice on both self-directed learning and clinical care. In the study, doctors and residents at the Air Force Medical Centre, Beijing, reported that using BMJ Best Practice enabled them to make an evidence-based diagnosis, provide evidence-based treatment, and share decision-making with patients and carers.
The 200 doctors and residents at the Air Force Medical Centre were invited to take part in the study to help researchers gain a greater understanding of self-directed learning when using point-of-care information systems, like BMJ Best Practice. The questionnaire was developed using a capability approach perspective, to improve understanding of self-directed learning when using point-of-care information systems in the context of medical education. This approach considers the extent to which an individual’s ‘valued learning needs' can be achieved, and also the factors that enable and constrain this process.
The valued learning needs included in the questionnaire covered three areas consistently rated as highly important and valued by healthcare professionals. They were:
- Making an evidence-based diagnosis
- Providing evidence-based treatment
- Sharing decision-making with patients and their carers.
The participants identified their own learning needs, based on the situations they faced in clinical practice. They were asked to use the available educational resources provided by BMJ Best Practice to support their decision-making. After 12 weeks of access to BMJ Best Practice, they were sent the online questionnaire. The response rate was high, achieving a 91% completion rate. The results showed the positive impact BMJ Best Practice had, not just on their self-directed learning, but also on their clinical practice.
- 86% of doctors agreed that the information provided by BMJ Best Practice had enabled them to make an evidence-based diagnosis.
- 80% had used BMJ Best Practice to help them provide evidence-based treatment.
- 81% agreed that they could apply the information obtained from BMJ Best Practice to provide evidence-based treatment in clinical practice.
- 70% of participants achieved a valued outcome of being able to share decision-making with patients and their carers.
This study adds to the growing body of evidence of the effectiveness of BMJ Best Practice, by showing how an individual’s valued learning needs can be achieved using BMJ Best Practice, and how it can support the transfer of learning to clinical practice.
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