Browsing by Author "Wickramasinghe, U."

Now showing 1 - 3 of 3

The diversity and some ecological aspects of Chironomid larvae in the Southwest segment of Beira Lake
(Sri Lanka Association for Fisheries and Aquatic Resources, 1999) Wickramasinghe, U.; Dias, R.K.S.
Evidence-based medicine : knowledge, attitudes, and practices among doctors in Sri Lanka
(Wiley-Blackwell, 2010) Abeysena, C.; Jayawardana, P.; Wickremasinghe, R.; Wickramasinghe, U.
OBJECTIVE: To assess knowledge, attitudes, and practices on evidence-based medicine (EBM) among doctors in selected hospitals in Sri Lanka. METHODS: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted among 315 doctors in five government hospitals in Sri Lanka between December 2007 and January 2008. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to gather information on knowledge, attitudes, and practices. RESULTS: Of the 407 invited, 315 doctors participated, among whom, 87% (271) had heard the term EBM, 30% (n= 94) were aware of the Cochrane Library, and 8.5% (n= 27) were current users of it. Forty-seven per cent (n= 148) claimed to understand the terms systematic review and 37% (n= 115) meta-analysis. Twenty-four per cent (n= 77) had been exposed to some form of EBM training. All three components of EBM were known by 18% (n= 56) of participants. Attitudes toward EBM were positive among 76% (n= 239), 80% (n= 251) believed the practice of EBM would lead to improved patient care, and 77% (n= 243) considered EBM to be fundamental to professional practice. Just 3% (n= 13) considered it unimportant. EBM was used in clinical practice by 54% (n= 169) of participants. Thirty-six per cent (n= 114) referred to EBM sources when relevant. Available clinical guidelines were referred to by 56% (n= 176), and 34% (n= 107) thought that available guidelines provide sufficient support for the practice of EBM. The main barriers to practicing EBM were insufficient resources, overwork, lack of exposure to EBM, and lack of time and lack of endorsement of the need to practice EBM. CONCLUSIONS: Knowledge and practices of EBM among Sri Lanka doctors were poor. However, attitudes toward EBM were relatively good.
Knowledge of basic epidemiological and statistical concepts among doctors in selected Sri Lankan hospitals
(College of Community Physicians of Sri Lanka, 2010) Abeysena, H.T.C.S.; Jayawardana, P.L.; Wickremasinghe, A.R.; Wickramasinghe, U.
INTRODUCTION: This study was conducted to describe the ability to comprehend basic epidemiologic and statistical concepts among doctors in selected hospitals in the Western Province. METHODOLOGY: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted during January to February, 2008. The study population consisted of 315 doctors - 43 (13.7%) specialists, 50 (16%) postgraduate trainees (PG) and 222 (70.3%) grade medical officers. A self administered questionnaire was used to assess perceived knowledge on selected epidemiologic and statistical concepts/parameters and two problem based questions which tested the ability to apply knowledge were used. Data were analyzed calculating the proportion who perceived to have good knowledge regarding each concept. Logistic regression was applied to test for differences in good knowledge between different groups of subjects. RESULTS: More than 75% of the respondents claimed to have good knowledge on prevalence, sensitivity, specificity and case control studies. Less than 50% of them had good knowledge on risk difference, number needed to treat, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, p-value and 95% confidence intervals. Male doctors had a significantly higher good knowledge than female doctors (p<0.001), and those who read medical journals regularly than those who did not (p<0.05). Specialists and PG trainees had a significantly higher good knowledge (p<0.001) than grade medical officers. Correct answers of the respondents to the two problem based questions were 25% (n=79) and 15.8% (n=50), respectively. CONCLUSION : Even though some doctors claimed to have a good knowledge with regard to selected epidemiologic and statistical concepts, their ability to apply their knowledge was poor.