[Teaching Evidence Based Medicine EBM in medical faculties in Poland]

Abstract

Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) is a core competence for clinicians and should be taught in all medical faculties.

Aim: The aim of the study was to survey how EBM is taught in medical faculties in Poland.

Materials and methods: We conducted a questionnaire study, asking the deans of medical faculties to fill it.

Results: We got a response from all medical faculties. Teaching of EBM is carried out in all medical faculties in Poland, apart from Kopernicus University in Toruń. EBM is a separate subject in 7 faculties (from 5 to 36 hours). The most often EBM is taught on the IIIrd to the Vth course of the study with exception of Kielce, where it is held on the IInd course. In the most faculties teaching EBM is obligatory. In Lodz and Krakow, apart of being obligatory, EBM may be continued facultatively. Teachers are competent in EBM and continuosly trained. EBM study ends with a credit in 3 faculties. Some faculties intend to introduce EBM as a separate subject or extend number of hours.

Conclusions: Our study showed that EBM is generally taught in medical faculties in Poland although in various length (5-36 hours). It should be extended to 30 hours and unified within a separate subject which ends with a credit.

Keywords: medical faculties; teaching EBM.