THE TEACHING OF EVIDENCE-BASED REPRODUCTIVE HEALTH IN DEVELOPING-COUNTRIES

Evidence-based medicine is gaining increased importance in clinical pr actice. Unfortunately, prevailing circumstances have prevented this ap plication of the best available evidence to clinical decision-making f or reproductive health in developing countries. Poor infrastructure, i nadequate personnel, gross underfunding of services for health and edu cation as well as a conservative education system are obstacles in eff ecting change. By;examining these impediments, we suggest strategies f or clinical education and research with the aim of improving reproduct ive health care in developing countries. Evidence-based reproductive h ealth will be promoted through access to appropriate information, inte rest from government and consumers, curriculum changes, application of research findings and finally, the judicious use of its principles in clinical practice. (C) 1997 International Federation of Gynecology an d Obstetrics.