Knowledge, Attitude, and Practice towards Evidence-Based Medicine among Northern Saudi Primary Care Physicians: A Cross-Sectional Study

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of inpatients with cardiovascular disease regarding obstructive sleep apnea

There is a significant interrelationship between cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnea (OSA), as they share common risk factors and comorbidities. This study aimed to investigate the knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) of inpatients with cardiovascular disease towards OSA. This cross-sectional study was conducted between January, 2022 and January, 2023 at Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University among inpatients with cardiovascular disease using a self-administered questionnaire. A self-designed questionnaire was used to assess KAP, and the STOP-Bang questionnaire was applied to evaluate participants' OSA risk. Spearman correlation and path analyses were conducted to explore relationships among KAP scores and high OSA risk. Subgroup analyses were conducted within the high-risk population identified by the STOP-Bang questionnaire. In a study analyzing 591 questionnaires, 66.33% were males. Mean scores were 6.81 ± 4.903 for knowledge, 26.84 ± 4.273 for attitude, and 14.46 ± 2.445 for practice. Path analysis revealed high risk of OSA positively impacting knowledge (β = 2.351, P < 0.001) and practice (β = 0.598, P < 0.001) towards OSA. Knowledge directly affected attitude (β = 0.544) and practice (β = 0.139), while attitude influenced practice (β = 0.266). Among high OSA risk individuals, knowledge directly impacted attitude (β = 0.645) and practice (β = 0.133). Knowledge indirectly influenced practice via attitude (β = 0.197). Additionally, attitude directly affected practice (β = 0.305). These findings provide insights into the interplay between OSA risk, knowledge, attitude, and practice. Inpatients with cardiovascular disease demonstrated inadequate knowledge, moderate attitude, and practice towards OSA. The findings highlighting the need for targeted educational interventions to improve awareness and management of OSA.

Knowledge, Attitude, and Perception towards Autism Spectrum Disorders among Parents in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia: A Cross-Sectional Study

Parents are an essential element of family intervention for all children, including those with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We can better understand and address parents' knowledge gaps about ASD through in-depth research and inquiry into parents' current level of understanding, attitude, and perception. We aimed to assess the knowledge, attitude, and perception of ASD and influencing factors towards ASD among a group of parents with and without a child diagnosed with ASD in Sakaka, Al-Jouf Region, Saudi Arabia. Using the cross-sectional study design, information from the parents was gathered using a pretested questionnaire that included validated scales for measuring knowledge, attitudes, and perceptions related to ASD. The required number of participants was selected using the convenience sampling method. We used Spearman's correlation test to determine the strength and direction of correlation between each domain. As a last step, we analyzed the influencing factors using binomial logistic regression. Among the 400 participants, 41.2% had high knowledge, 69.1% had a positive attitude, and 60.3% had a high perception of ASD. We found that knowledge was significantly higher among the parents with autistic individuals in the family (p = 038). The high and positive attitude was significantly greater among females (p = 0.010) and parents with high income (p = 0.007), and the perception was significantly associated with females (p = 0.037) and highly educated participants (p = 0.046). Furthermore, we found a positive correlation between knowledge, attitude, and perception. Overall, only less than half of the participants had a high knowledge of ASD. Hence, we recommend awareness-raising programs for the parents in this region. Furthermore, a prospective study involving parents from all provinces of Saudi Arabia is recommended.

Self-perceived knowledge, attitude, and practice of evidence-based medicine before and after training among healthcare workers in Taizhou, China

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the combination of the best research evidence with our clinical expertise, specific situations, and the unique values of our patients. It is essential to evaluate the effectiveness of EBM training for healthcare workers (HCWs).

OBJECTIVES

This study aims to assess the impact of EBM training on HCWs' knowledge, attitude, and practice (KAP) related to EBM.

METHODS

A self-reported online survey was carried out to investigate KAP related to EBM among HCWs at a tertiary hospital in Taizhou, China. HCWs participated in EBM training on 9 and 10 September 2023. The questionnaire survey was conducted to understand KAP related to EBM before and after the training, and to compare and analyze the results before and after the training. The R software (version 4.1.0) was used to analyze data.

RESULTS

Sixty-four HCWs completed the survey with a response rate of 52.5% (64/122). The overall average scores of KAP related to EBM before training were 55.3, 63.0, and 34.5, respectively, and 56.9, 66.5, and 34.7 were the scores of KAP after training. HCWs' scores of knowledge (P = 0.033) and attitude (P < 0.001) related to EBM improved significantly after the training.

CONCLUSION

This study implied that EBM training may improve the knowledge and attitude of HCWs, and its teaching effect is considerable.

The dilemma of the split between theory and reality as experienced by primary healthcare professionals: a mixed methods study of evidence-based practice in a primary care context

BACKGROUND

Primary care depends upon a good information flow across professional and structural boundaries to provide the best care for patients. Previous research has mainly focused on Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) within specific professions. Mapping of pan-professional experiences of and attitudes to EBP in publicly funded clinical practice is necessary to deepen the understanding of EBP and its implementation. Thus, this study aimed to investigate healthcare professionals' experiences of and attitudes towards working in accordance with EBP in primary care.

METHODS

The study used a convergent mixed methods design divided into two strands: a quantitative enquiry tool (Evidence-Based Practice Attitude Scale, EBPAS) and a set of qualitative interviews analysed by means of qualitative content analysis. Both strands included all primary care employees with patient interaction in the studied county (n = 625), including doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, psychologists and assistant nurses. Out of the original 625 healthcare professionals, 191 finished the first strand and 8 volunteered for the second strand (2 nurses, 2 physiotherapists, 1 psychiatrist and 3 doctors).

RESULTS

The EBPAS value of 2.8 (max 4) indicated a generally positive attitude towards EBP amongst the population, which was also evident in the interviews. However, there were additional experiences of not having the ability or resources to engage in EBP. This was illustrated by the theme that emerged from the qualitative content analysis: "The dilemma of the split between theory and reality". Due to the organisational and managerial focus on efficiency rather than quality of care, there were few or no incentives for promoting individual educational or research development.

CONCLUSIONS

Although the general attitude towards EBP is positive, experiences of practising it differ. There is a need to increase knowledge of EBP concepts, requirements and implementation in the clinical setting. The absence of opportunities to do research and collegial debate about new ways of finding and implementing research-based evidence results might influence the quality of care.

Family Medicine and Primary Healthcare: The Past, Present and Future

As defined by the World Health Organisation in the conference held in Alma Ata, Kazakhstan, in 1978, "Primary health care is essential health care based on practical, scientifically sound, and socially acceptable methods and technology made universally accessible to individuals and families in the community through their full participation and at a cost that the community and country can afford to maintain at every stage of their development in the spirit of self-reliance and self-determination" [...].