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Pathways to evidence-based reproductive healthcare in developing countries
Bohaira E Geyoushi1, Zoë Matthews, R William Stones
1Opportunities and Choices Reproductive Health Research Programme, University of Southampton, UK.
Summary
Doctors in developing countries want to use evidence-based medicine but face time and financial barriers. Engaging early-career clinicians and improving access to journals are key to advancing medical knowledge application.
Area of Science:
- Medical Education
- Global Health
- Evidence-Based Medicine
Background:
- Clinicians in developing nations are aware of evidence-based medicine (EBM) principles.
- Significant constraints hinder their ability to access and implement new medical knowledge.
- Reproductive health knowledge access and application present unique challenges in these settings.
Purpose of the Study:
- To gather primary data on the accessibility and utilization of reproductive health medical knowledge.
- To understand the experiences, attitudes, and needs of clinicians in developing countries regarding medical knowledge.
Main Methods:
- A qualitative study employing semi-structured interviews.
- Conducted in India and Yemen with 41 doctors across obstetrics, gynaecology, general practice, and family planning.
- Thematic analysis was performed on transcribed interview data.
Main Results:
- Doctors expressed a strong desire for knowledge updates, often unmet due to time and financial limitations.
- Barriers to accessing resources like the Internet and scientific meetings included cost, technological unfamiliarity, and limited advertising.
- Hierarchical structures, generational conflicts, and demoralization impeded knowledge application, while involvement in medical education fostered its use.
Conclusions:
- Addressing specific country and setting needs is crucial for improving knowledge access.
- Ensuring universal access to full-text journals and early-career educational engagement is vital.
- Clinical teachers are identified as key facilitators for knowledge acquisition and application.