Abstract:

Objective: The aim of this study is to evaluate family physicians' information searching behaviours and evidence based medicine applications' usage status. Material and Method: The study has been conducted between December 2012- January 2013 and a survey form prepared for evidence based medicine applications was used during the study. The survey has been applied to 81 family physicians working in Kırıkkale. Results: At the end of the study, it has been found out that, %84 of the family physicians have knowledge about evidence based medicine applications, %67,9 have no background in this subject, also %82,7 of the family physicians want to learn about evidence based medicine applications and %82,7 uses evidence based medicine applications when deciding about their patients. The rate of the information sources that the physicians use to reach evidence based knowledge are %56.8 search engines, %53.1 diagnosis and treatment guidelines prepared by the Ministry of Health. Based on the averages, most common statements about the evidence based applications by the family physicians are 3.73 points ''Evidence based medicine will play a pozitive role in the future'', ''Desicions about the patients must be based on reliable statistical knowledge'' and ''Doctors should review the literature critically''.The statements with the least points are 2.49 points '' Evidence based medicine applications will reduce the value of clinical experience'' and ''Evidence based medicine applications are for academicians''. Discussion: It has been concluded that the family physicians need evidence based medical information on daily applications and most frequently they use medical databases to reach information. It is necessary for the Ministry of Health to support the usage of evidence based medicine by providing the family physicians access to some paid medical databases. Also, augmentation and promotion of clinical guidelines will facilitate the usage of evidence based applications by the family physicians in the first phase. Keywords: Evidence based medicine, Family physicians, Clinical guidelines

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