Objective: The essential need for the timely availability of additional relevant information has resulted in a focus on "Evidence-based Medicine" (EBM) in medical practice. In Child and Adolescent Psychiatry (CAP) training it is essential to impart knowledge of how to effectively use the available literature, since the evidence for many therapies is still poor.
Method: We modified the "Duke Model" for teaching EBM in CAP to better attune it to the educational needs of a German university. We describe the introduction of the teaching module "Evidence-based Medicine in CAP" in practical clinical training.
Results: Integrating EBM into mandatory practical training enables the students to deal with problems that directly pertain to patient treatment, thus motivating them to access and read relevant scientific literature. An initial evaluation of this pilot project shows the successful linkage of research with clinical routine and also the conveyance of improved decision making abilities as well as an attitude of life-long learning.
Conclusions: Modifying the EBM-module for practical clinical training is an innovative approach to integrating EBM into medical curricula. In the course of a curricular reform, "EBM cross sectional training" for all medical students was introduced into the new curriculum of the Medical School at the University of Ulm.