Evaluation of the Attitudes of Healthcare Professionals Towards Using Evidence-Based Medicine Software in the Health Care Settings

Abstract

Problems of excess paperwork, delays in approving services, arguments, and claims of over-servicing may arise during healthcare settings. This is perceived as unwanted for patients and health care professionals and costly to the health care system. Introducing an Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) decision software in health systems could provide a partial solution, by reducing doubt about effective treatment, undue procedures, and improving the service. This study aims to investigate the attitudes of health care professionals to the possible implementation of EBM software tools in the health care system. A quantitative study has been conducted that has consisted of a questionnaire asking about self-reported knowledge, attitudes, and behavior to EBM in general. The contributors were health care professionals from different medical specialties. The contributors who had accomplished the questionnaire (n=100) indicated that they were knowledgeable about the evidence base in their field but perceived some difficulties when practicing EBM. Overall, the contributors are supportive of EBM, however have strong concerns about the implementation of the EBM software for decision making in the health care systems. The contributors felt that EBM tools should not be applied strictly and should take into account clinical judgment and patient variability and preferences