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Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Telen, MJ
Published in: Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc
2014

Between 2009 and 2012, I taught principles of evidence-based medicine and clinical research in Russia, Tatarstan, Moldova, and Kazakhstan. The Soviet Union left a medical legacy characterized by balkanization of top tier medicine in highly specialized centers, so there was little capability for multidiscipinary care. In addition, the authoritarian government led to a persistently top-down tradition of medical education and practice, which one of my Russian colleagues aptly named "eminence-based medicine." After the fall of the Soviet Union, funding for science and medical research was drastically cut, leading to a struggle for resources and politicization of resource decisions. At present, prejudices and beliefs about disease and treatment persist untested, limited English language competency impedes acquisition of new knowledge, and restriction of resources cripples innovation. Yet none of these conditions are unknown to us in the United States. Physicians may resist evidence that challenges long-held beliefs, and patients want us to make decisions based on their individual case, not evidence arising from studying other people. As physicians, we need to understand how to communicate with and frame our arguments so that they can be understood and received favorably. Can we draw lessons from trying to teach evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union?

Duke Scholars

Published In

Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc

ISSN

0065-7778

Publication Date

2014

Volume

125

Start / End Page

88 / 102

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • USSR
  • Teaching
  • Language
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Education, Medical
  • Diffusion of Innovation
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Curriculum
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
NLM
Telen, M. J. (2014). Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc, 125, 88–102.
Telen, Marilyn J. “Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned.Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc 125 (2014): 88–102.
Telen MJ. Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2014;125:88–102.
Telen, Marilyn J. “Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned.Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc, vol. 125, 2014, pp. 88–102.
Telen MJ. Teaching evidence-based medicine in the former Soviet Union: lessons learned. Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc. 2014;125:88–102.

Published In

Trans Am Clin Climatol Assoc

ISSN

0065-7778

Publication Date

2014

Volume

125

Start / End Page

88 / 102

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • USSR
  • Teaching
  • Language
  • Humans
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Evidence-Based Medicine
  • Education, Medical
  • Diffusion of Innovation
  • Delivery of Health Care
  • Curriculum