Attitude and perceived barriers towards the practice of evidence-based urology amongst urological trainees in India

Abstract

Introduction: Evidence-based medicine requires systematic access and appraisal of contemporary research findings, followed by their application in clinical practice. It assumes an even greater significance in the current era of aggressive, industry-driven marketing. Methods: A questionnaire was designed combining the McColl questionnaire and Barrier scale with relevant modifications and was administered to the urology trainees attending a continuing urological education program. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 25. Results: The meeting was attended by 110 urological trainees from 55 urological training centers all over India. One hundred and three of them agreed to participate in the study. About 92% of the questionnaires were fully completed. Less than half of the participants (47%) had access to reliable urological literature at work. Only 11% of the respondents claimed to have been formally trained in evidence-based urology (EBU). The inability to understand statistical analysis was the most common (67.4%) perceived barrier to EBU. Conclusion: The urological trainees in India are positively inclined towards EBU. The lack of formal training in appraising the available literature and lack of protected time, and portals to access the literature at workplaces hinder them from improving their compliance to EBU.