A Questionnaire-Based Survey on Knowledge, Attitudes and Practices towards PubMed Literature Searching Among Phase II and III MBBS Students

ABSTRACT: Background: Effective literature search skills are essential for medical students to access evidence-based information, particularly through databases like PubMed. Understanding the knowledge, attitudes, and practices (KAP) of medical students towards PubMed can inform educational strategies to enhance research competency. Aim and Objective: To assess the knowledge, attitudes, and practices of Phase II and III MBBS students regarding PubMed literature search and to identify factors influencing their proficiency. Methods: A cross-sectional, questionnaire-based study was conducted among 500 Phase II and III MBBS students at a tertiary medical college. A pre-validated structured questionnaire was used to evaluate knowledge (awareness of PubMed features and search strategies), attitude (perceived usefulness and confidence in PubMed use), and practices (search frequency and method). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics Results: A total of 500 students voluntarily participated. While 74.6% believed literature searching was important, only 32.4% had heard of PubMed and 24.4% correctly identified the full form of MeSH. In terms of practice, just 18.8% used PubMed at least monthly, and 16.6% had ever used the “Clinical Queries” feature. A substantial proportion expressed willingness to improve through workshops (48.8%), but regular use and advanced techniques were limited. Conclusion: Although students showed positive attitude towards PubMed, substantial gaps in knowledge and practice were observed. Structured training in literature search methods should be integrated into the undergraduate curriculum to strengthen evidence-based learning. Keywords: PubMed, literature search, medical students, knowledge, attitudes, practices, evidence-based medicine.