EBM themes in specialty milestones
| Total number (per cent) of specialties with a requirement | Hospital-based residencies (N=11) | Medical specialties (N=8) | Surgical specialties (N=10) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| EBM 1: validity of research evidence | ||||
| Knowledge and application of indicators of study quality: identifying study design and knowing the hierarchy of evidence | 15 (52) | 3 (27) | 5 (63) | 7 (70) |
| Identification of bias in medical research | 9 (31) | 1 (9) | 2 (25) | 6 (60) |
| Understanding of relevance, applicability, generalisability of research data | 8 (28) | 1 (9) | 2 (25) | 5 (50) |
| EBM 2: critical appraisal of specific study types | ||||
| Original research, including studies of therapy, diagnosis, prognosis and harm | 15 (52) | 2 (18) | 6 (75) | 7 (70) |
| Reviews, including systematic reviews and meta-analysis | 11 (38) | 2 (18) | 4 (50) | 5 (50) |
| Clinical practice guidelines | 12 (41) | 3 (27) | 4 (50) | 5 (50) |
| IM 1: identifying need for information | ||||
| Identification of a specific need for information or learning (in contrast to a specific learning plan or general self-development) | 18 (62) | 6 (55) | 5 (63) | 7 (70) |
| Formulation of a searchable question | 10 (34) | 2 (18) | 3 (38) | 5 (50) |
| Demonstration of knowledge gained via formal evidence-based presentation | 4 (14) | 2 (18) | 2 (25) | 0 |
| IM 2: answering patient-specific questions | ||||
| Selecting and using appropriate databases to conduct a literature search | 15 (52) | 6 (55) | 5 (63) | 4 (40) |
| Using and critiquing point-of-care information sources | 20 (69) | 6 (55) | 7 (88) | 7 (70) |
| Evaluation of information from other sources (not databases) | 11 (38) | 4 (36) | 3 (38) | 4 (40) |
| IM 3: keeping up with changes in medicine (current awareness) | ||||
| Demonstrating the linkage between new evidence and change in practice or practice improvement (in contrast to general practice improvement) | 23 (79) | 10 (91) | 6 (75) | 7 (70) |
| Understanding the limitations of using evidence to guide decisions | 1 (3) | 0 | 1 (13) | 0 |
| Demonstration of the use of a system for keeping up with relevant changes in medicine | 4 (14) | 0 | 3 (38) | 0 |
EBM, evidence-based medicine; IM, information management.