Units
Evidence Based Practice
Unit code: PUB436
Credit points: 12
Information about fees and unit costs
This unit equips students with the skills to identify, critically analyse and evaluate evidence, and to implement evidence-based practice within thier chosen profession.
Availability
| Semester | Available |
|---|---|
| 2013 Semester 2 | Yes |
Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2012
Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.
Rationale
Evidence-based practice (EBP) describes the conscious, judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the health of individual patients or populations. While evidence has always informed clinical practice, a more structured approach is relatively new for health professionals. It requires skills in searching for, analysing, critiquing and translating into practice the best available evidence.
The amount of scientific evidence available to health professionals is increasing and can be overwhelming. As health professionals, it is difficult to evaluate the strengths and weaknesses of the information upon which we base our practice. Indeed much of the material that you will be confronted with as clinicians will be incomplete or biased and it is your professional responsibility to determine what is valuable and useful from what is incomplete, inadequate or simply "marketing".
As a health care professional, you will be expected to practice on the basis of the best available evidence; therefore you need to understand how to identify, critically analyse and evaluate the evidence to inform your practice. This unit highlights the challenges that health professionals face in keeping up-to-date with current best evidence and the barriers faced when attempting to implement new practices and will provide students with core skills in critical review which will be expected to be applied in subsequent Units.
Aims
The aim of this unit is equip you with the necessary skills to identify, critically analyse and evaluate evidence, and to implement evidence-based practice within your chosen profession.
Objectives
On completion of this unit, you should be able to:
1. describe evidence-based practice and the concepts that underpin it
2. describe the process of systematic review
3. identify, analyse and evaluate sources of evidence and extract information from those sources that may inform future practice
4. describe the process of converting evidence into practice and explain the complex issues associated with that process
5. apply evidence based practice in the professional context.
Throughout all aspects of this unit you will be expected to demonstrate sensitivity to, and understanding of, cultural and gender-related issues.
Content
This unit is divided into five modules:
Module 1: Introduction to Evidence Based Practice which outlines the history and rationale for EBP and relevant definitions and principles.
Module 2: Finding the evidence involves the identification of sources of evidence, the process of searching for the evidence and constructing an evidence base. This module builds your research and analytical skills.
Module 3: Evaluating the evidence involves the critical analysis of sources of evidence and extracting relevant information to inform practice.
Module 4: Applying the evidence identifies how to apply evidence to your practice and the factors which impact on the translation of evidence into practice.
Module 5: Professional practice discusses personal and professional development practices to support commitment to a lifelong approach to learning and the use of evidence to inform your professional practice.
Approaches to Teaching and Learning
This unit provides you with information and opportunities to build your professional skills. The unit is available for both internal and external study.
The material which supports this program includes:
The on-line Blackboard teaching site will be used exclusively for posting all lecture materials and readings and for communicating between staff and students.
Assessment
PILOT Licence
All students are encouraged to complete their PILOT Licence.
General assessment information
There are three assessments to be completed throughout the semester.
Your formative assessment task in week 5 requires you to work on your own or in small groups to identify the subject for a systematic review and the strategy to be used to identify the evidence. Feedback will be provided which will assist you with the conduct of the review. This relates to your summative assessment task and learning outcomes 1-2.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit.
Assessment name:
Examination (Theory)
Description:
There will be a timed, invigilatedn closed book examination in the end of semester Central Examination Period. The exam will consist of short answer and essay questions.
Relates to objectives:
1-5
Weight:
50%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
End semester
Assessment name:
Project (research)
Description:
You will work alone or in small groups to conduct a (limited) systematic review of a chosen topic.
Relates to objectives:
1-3
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 9
Assessment name:
Project (research)
Description:
You will work alone or in small groups to identify how to apply the outcomes of their your systematic review to practice.
Relates to objectives:
4-5
Weight:
25%
Internal or external:
Both
Group or individual:
Individual
Due date:
Week 12
Academic Honesty
QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.
A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.
Resource materials
There is no single textbook required for this unit although some texts are identified which may help explain the concepts.
Texts
Trinder L (2000) Evidenced based practice. Blackwell
Dawes M, Davies P, Gray A et al (2005) Evidence-Based Practice: a primer for health care professionals. Elsevier
Journals
Evidenced based health care
Evidenced based medicine
Websites
Cochrane library: http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/cgi-bin/mrwhome/106568753/HOME
Australian Centre for Evidence Based Clinical Practice (ACEBCP)
eMJA Medical Journal of Australia - Clinical Guidelines: http://www.mja.com.au/public/guides/guides.html
NICE - National Institute for Clinical Evidence: http://www.nice.org.uk/
Risk assessment statement
Substantial computer-based work will be required. You should refer to the guidelines for safe work at VDUs contained in the SPH Guidelines to Students. Also ensure that your workstation is adjusted in accordance with these guidelines and that you take regular rest breaks. There are no other exceptional significant risks associated with this unit.
Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.
Last modified: 29-Aug-2012
