Examining an Evidence-Based Medicine Culture in Residency Education

Reports of innovations in evidence-based medicine (EBM) training have focused on curriculum design and knowledge gained. Little is known about the educational culture and environment for EBM training and the extent to which those environments exist in family medicine residencies in the United States.

A literature review on this topic identified a validated EBM environment scale intended for learner use. This scale was adapted for completion by family medicine residency program directors (PDs) and administered through an omnibus survey. Responses to this scale were analyzed descriptively with program and PD demographics. An EBM culture score was calculated for each program and the results were regressed with the correlated demographics.

In our adapted survey, family medicine PDs generally rated their residencies high on the EBM culture scale, but admitted to challenges with faculty feedback to residents about EBM skills, ability to protect time for EBM instruction, and clinician skepticism about EBM. In linear regression analysis, the mean summary score on the EBM scale was lower for female PDs and in programs with a higher proportion of international medical school graduates.

To improve the culture for EBM teaching, family medicine residency programs should focus on faculty engagement and support and the allocation of sufficient time for EBM education.