Designing, implementation and evaluation of an evidence-based journal club program in the school of Persian medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences

Abstract

Iran. ORCID: 0000-0003-0005-5792 Email: dabaghian.f@iums.ac.ir Abstract Introduction : Due to the lack of evidence-based medicine (EBM) program in the Persian medicine curriculum, the EBM journal clubs was implemented as a method for teaching EBM and to evaluate its efficacy and satisfaction of participants. Methods : EBM journal clubs which was designed and implemented in 1398 and 1399 in the school of Persian Medicine of Iran University of Medical Sciences was a combination of an EBM workshop with EBM Journal Clubs, which included designing clinical questions and searching and critically appraising the evidence, and using EBM checklists. The evaluation was performed with a structured researcher-made questionnaire to assess the efficacy of the program, and a non-structured questionnaire to assess the strengths and weaknesses of the program, the expectations and suggestions of the participants. Results : Ten students who participated in more than 70% of sessions believed that the program was effective in conveying EBM concepts (90-100% of participants), but was not effective enough in gaining the ability to use statistical concepts (30% of participants). All of them stated that they need more practice and learning. A qualitative review of the opinions of 16 persons (some of them participated in less than 70% of the sessions) identified the strengths and weaknesses of the program, expectations and suggestions for future programs. Conclusion : EBM journal club is an appropriate method to transfer EBM knowledge; however, to improve the efficacy of the program, other interventions such as mandatory participation of the students, improving the knowledge of masters of Persian medicine about EBM and