Cogprints

Epistemological Beliefs and Knowledge among Physicians: A Questionnaire Survey

Peña MD, Adolfo and Paco MD, Ofelia Paco and Peralta MD, Carlos (2002) Epistemological Beliefs and Knowledge among Physicians: A Questionnaire Survey. [Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)]

Full text available as:

[img]
Preview
 PDF
46Kb

Abstract

Background: All sciences share a common underlying epistemological domain, which gives grounds to and characterizes their nature and actions. Insofar as physicians depend on scientific knowledge, it would be helpful to assess their knowledge regarding some theoretical foundations of science. Objectives: 1.To assess resident physicians' knowledge of concepts and principles underlying all sciences. 2. To determine, to what extent physicians' epistemological beliefs and attitudes are compatible with the scientific paradigm. Design: A questionnaire was administered to 161 resident physicians at three hospitals in Lima, Peru. Results: 237 resident physicians were selected, 161 (68%) of whom agreed to answer the survey. 67% of respondents indicated they did not know what epistemology is, 21% were able to correctly define epistemology; 24% of the residents knew the appropriate definition of scientific theory. No respondents knew the philosophical presumptions of science; and 48% took a relativistic stand towards knowledge. Conclusions: There appear to be deficiencies in the knowledge of scientific theoretical foundations among physicians.

Item Type:Journal (On-line/Unpaginated)
Keywords:Basic science education, Leaning theory, Epistemological beliefs, medical education, scientific knowledge, medical education, health professional education
Subjects:JOURNALS > Medical Education Online > MEO Peer Reviewed
ID Code:2367
Deposited By: David, Solomon
Deposited On:07 Aug 2002
Last Modified:11 Mar 2011 08:54

References in Article

Select the SEEK icon to attempt to find the referenced article. If it does not appear to be in cogprints you will be forwarded to the paracite service. Poorly formated references will probably not work.

* Bunge MA. Vigencia de la Filosofia: Ciencia y técnica. Investigación y universidad. Lima, Universidad Inca Garcilaso de la Vega, Fondo editorial; 1997: 25-57.

* Hand B, Lawrence C and Yore L. A writing in science framework designed to enhance science literacy. International Journal of Science Education 1999; 21: 1021-1035.

* Chun S, Oliver JS, Jackson D. Scientific literacy: an educational goal of the past two centuries. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1999, Boston, Massachusetts.

* Mandin H, Dauphinée W. Conceptual guidelines for developing and maintaining curriculum and examination objectives: The experience of the medical council of Canada. Acad Med. 2000; 75: 1031-1037.

* Norman GR, Trott AD, Brooks LR, Smith EKM. Cognitive differences in clinical reasoning related to postgraduate training. Teach Learn Med. 1994;6:114-20.

* Golberg I. How to ensure that medicine incorporates the best of science. Opthalmology Clinics of North America 2000; 13: 7-14.

* Schommer M. The effects of beliefs about the nature of knowledge in comprehension. Journal of Educational Psychology 1990; 82 :498 - 504.

* Hofer BK, Pintrich PR. The development of epistemological theories: Beliefs about knowledge and knowing and their relation to learning. Review of Educational Research 1997; 67 : 88-140.

* Bendixen LD, Schraw G. Why Do Epistemological Beliefs Affect III-Defined Problem Solving?. Presented at: The annual meeting of the American Educational Research Association 2001, Seattle, WA. Session 39.14.

* Cobb A G. A theoretical model of epistemological development and its use in understanding teachers epistemologies. Presented at the annual meeting of the National Association for Research in Science Teaching, 1999, Boston, Massachusetts.

* Hammer D, Elby A. Epistemological Resources. In: B. Fishman and S. O'Connor-Divelbiss (Eds.) Mahwah, NJ: Erlbaum. Fourth International Conference of the Learning Sciences 2000 : 4-5.

* Miller JD, Pifer LK. Public Attitudes Toward Science and Technology, 1979-1995, Integrated Codebook, Chicago; Chicago Academy of Sciences, International Center for the Advancement of Scientific Literacy, 1995.

* Miller JD, Kimmel L. and Hess M. 1999 Study of Public Attitudes Toward and Understanding of Science and Technology: Methodological Report. Chicago; Chicago Academy of Sciences 2000.

* Science and Engineering Indicator, VII: Science and technology: public attitudes and public understanding. Washington, DC: US. National Science Board, Government Printing Office; 1996. VII: 8-10.

* Bunge M A. Epistemología: curso de actualización. Barcelona, Ariel; 1985.

* Popper KR; Sánchez de Zavala V. (trans.) La Lógica de la Investigación Científica. Madrid, Tecnos; 1962: 57-74. Originally published, in English: The Logic of Scientific Discovery. London, Hutchinson; 1959.

* Bunge MA; Tristan M. (trans.) La Investigación Científica: Su estrategia y su filosofía. 3rd ed. Barcelona, Ariel; 1973: 319-330. Originally published, in English: Scientific Research. Berlin-Heidelberg-New York, Springer- Verlag; 1967.

* Christakis D, Rivara F. Pediatricians' awareness of and attitudes about four clinical practice guidelines. Pediatrics 1998; 101: 825-830.

* Sackett DC, Rosenberg WMC, Gray JAM, et al. Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't. BMJ 1996; 312:71 -72.

* Knottnerus JA, Dinant GJ. Medicine based evidence, a prerequisite for evidence based medicine. BMJ 1997; 315: 1109-10.

* Olatunbosun OA, Edouard L. The teaching of evidence-based reproductive health in developing countries. Int J Gynecol Obstet 1997; 56: 171-176.

* McColl A, Smith H. and White P. General practitioners' perceptions of the route to evidence based medicine: a questionnaire survey. BMJ 1998; 316: 361-365.

* Olatunbosun O, Edouard L. and Pierson R. Physicians' attitudes toward evidence based obstetric practice: a questionnaire survey. BMJ 1998; 316: 365-366.

* McAvoy BR, Kanner EFS. General practice surveys : a questionnaire too far? BMJ 1996; 313: 732-733.

* Asch DA, Jedrzlewski MN , Christakis NA. Response rates to mail surveys in medical journals. J Clin Epidemiol 1997; 50: 1125-1136.

* Downie R, Macnaughton J. Should medical students read Plato? Med J Aust. 1999; 170: 125-127.

* Kopelman LM. Philosophy and medical education. Acad Med. 1995; 70: 795-805.

Metadata

Repository Staff Only: item control page

Cogprints is powered by EPrints 3 which is developed by the School of Electronics and Computer Science at the University of Southampton. More information and software credits.