Tehran University of Medical Sciences Acta Medica Iranica 0044-6025 48 5 2010 10 15 332 336 EN Zinat Nadia Hatmi Department of Social Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Sousan Tahvildari Institute of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Soheila Dabiran Institute of Public Health, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Suraya Soheili Department of Social Medicine, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. Ahmad Sabouri Kashani Medical Faculty, Vice Chancellor for Research, Tehran, Iran. Maedeh Raznahan Curriculum Development Section, EDC , Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. 2015 09 28 Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) is becoming an integral component of graduate medical education competency and a requirement for grad medical education practice-based learning core competency. This study tries to compare the efficacy of conferences utilizing small-group discussions with the traditional conference method in enhancing EBM competency. The participants in this randomized controlled trial (RCT) were 170 members of the medical faculty who were divided into two groups of 86 (intervention) and 84 (control). Following the intervention, EBM competency was assessed by a written examination. statistical analysis made use of chi-square test, independent sample t-test and relative risks for univariate analysis. Mantel-Hanszel was used for bivariate analysis. Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate multivariate-adjusted associations between EBM educational intervention and EBM knowledge, attitude and skills. A new indicator of number needed to intervention (NNI) was defined and computed. Results: The results proved conference along with small-group discussion to be a more effective teaching method with P=0.001 on knowledge, P<0.001 for attitude and skills P<0.001 in an EBM exam when compared with medical faculty members who did not participate in EBM educational intervention (n=84). Moreover, they had also increased confidence with critical appraisal skills, and searching EBM resources. Conclusions: Conferences followed by small-group discussions significantly enhance EBM knowledge, attitude, critical appraisal skills and literature review skills. https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/view/4059 https://acta.tums.ac.ir/index.php/acta/article/download/4059/4034