The Role of Divisions of General Practice in Promoting Evidence Based Medicine

Divisions, and other GP organisations, can promote and support evidence based general practice in a number of ways. The following resources suggest several strategies that can be adopted depending on the interest and level of expertise of people within the division.

1. Ensure that your CPD program is evidence based

One way of promoting the culture of EBM (‘the best available evidence should inform clinical decision making') is to encourage Continuing Professional Development (CPD) presenters to distinguish between research based evidence and ‘expert opinion'. The Monash Division's CPD policy (pdf) provides such a guideline. Similar policies can be developed for other divisional activities.

2. Include EBM in your IMIT education program

Teaching GPs how to use clinical software and the Internet offers the opportunity to introduce the principals of EBM. ThJune 21, 2006 to Clarity - Internet Training Program is aimed at promoting the use of the Internet within an EBM framework.

3. Provide an EBM program to GPs

Teach GPs more about the concepts, skills and resources which are useful for EBM, although GPs will do so most enthusiastically if it is taught within a clinical context. For example, a CPD presentation on the latest management of hyperlipidaemia could include a segment on how to search for and critically appraise major clinical trials on lipid lowering therapy.

4. Further EBM resources

How can the division promote EBM? (39kb pdf)
Deciding how your division might approach the task of promoting and supporting EBM in general practice.

Specific EBM interventions (66kb pdf)
Different methods for the implementation of EBM in your division.

How does EBM relate to quality improvement in general practice? (31kb pdf)
This section brings together EBM and the philosophy of continuous quality improvement (CQI).

 

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