Evidence-based medicine knowledge, attitudes, and practices among doctors in XXXX Lanka.

@entity1 @entity3595 @entity1297
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on @entity1297 ( @entity1297 ) among doctors in selected hospitals in @entity3595 Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 315 doctors in five government hospitals in @entity3595 Lanka between December 2007 and January 2008. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: Of the 407 invited, 315 doctors participated, among whom, 87% (271) had heard the term @entity1297 , 30% (n= 94) were aware of the Cochrane Library, and 8.5% (n= 27) were current users of it. Forty-seven per cent (n= 148) claimed to understand the terms systematic review and 37% (n= 115) meta-analysis. Twenty-four per cent (n= 77) had been exposed to some form of @entity1297 training. All three components of @entity1297 were known by 18% (n= 56) of @entity1 . Attitudes toward @entity1297 were positive among 76% (n= 239), 80% (n= 251) believed the practice of @entity1297 would lead to improved @entity1 care, and 77% (n= 243) considered @entity1297 to be fundamental to professional practice. Just 3% (n= 13) considered it unimportant. @entity1297 was used in clinical practice by 54% (n= 169) of @entity1 . Thirty-six per cent (n= 114) referred to @entity1297 sources when relevant. Available clinical guidelines were referred to by 56% (n= 176), and 34% (n= 107) thought that available guidelines provide sufficient support for the practice of @entity1297 . The main barriers to practicing @entity1297 were insufficient resources, overwork, lack of exposure to @entity1297 , and lack of time and lack of endorsement of the need to practice @entity1297 . CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and practices of @entity1297 among @entity3595 Lanka doctors were poor. However, attitudes toward @entity1297 were relatively good.
