JMIR Publications

ABSTRACT

Background:

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is of critical value, and it was implemented worldwide in order to improve the quality of the delivered health care. However, not all Syrian health professionals are knowledgeable about its importance, methodology, and implementation. Online learning about EBM might be effective in improving the learning of health professionals.

Objective:

This study was undertaken to test the effectiveness and the feasibility of an asynchronous online course about EBM in improving the competencies of Syrian health professionals in terms of EBM.

Methods:

An online course about the EBM was developed in Arabic and uploaded to the Syrian Virtual University platform. To register in this online course, an electronic registration form was designed and distributed to medical groups on social media. For the measurement, both the pre- and post-test had the same three sections to measure the impact of this program on the knowledge, skills, and attitudes of participants. A section in the post-test has also been added to measure the effectiveness and ease of use of this program. Student t-test was used to analyze differences between the results of the participants.

Results:

Nineteen participants filled out the e-registration form, the pre-test was forwarded to all 11 clinical practitioners who graduated from Syrian universities. Ten of them filled out the pre-test, while seven of them completed the post-test. The online course was found to be effective in terms of EBM knowledge, skills, and attitudes at P=0.05. Also, the online course was a feasible and easy-to-use way regarding EBM.

Conclusions:

In order for EBM to be implemented in Syria, continuous medical education programs should be designed to target clinical practitioners. Asynchronous electronic medical education is an effective and a feasible mean for introducing the concept of EBM, improving its skills, and promoting positive attitudes of Syrian clinical practitioners towards it.