Identifying knowledge gaps in provider understanding of evidence-based guidelines may accelerate adherence to those guidelines, according to a study in the American Journal of Infection Control, in which researchers found there is a direct correlation between experience with a task and the degree to which evidence-based guidelines are followed.
Researchers tracked the use of antibiotics for the treatment of asymptomatic bacteriuria while measuring knowledge of evidence-based guidelines for the practice in the same group of providers.
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The surveyed group correctly answered an average of 57.5 percent of questions designed to assess their knowledge of the guidelines, with only 42 percent of respondents reporting more than a minimal recall of the guidelines for treating ASB. Knowledge recall increased with training, perception of self-efficacy and familiarity with guidelines.
Because more experience with the procedure and more training were associated with better recall of ASB guidelines, researchers suggest addressing the mechanisms through which evidence-based guidelines are learned. Applying those lessons earlier in the learning process may improve adherence to the guidelines, they suggest.
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