OCC3041 - Skills for evidence-based practice 2

Leader: Dr Ted Brown

Offered

Peninsula First semester 2007 (Day)

Synopsis

This unit gives students an advanced overview of the skills necessary to critique and evaluate research evidence. Students will be introduced to completing a critically appraised topic. This will provide the foundation to integrate clinically relevant evidence into daily professional practice. Components of evidence-based practice in OT will be introduced and practiced. Randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews and meta-analyses as methods for presenting evidence will be introduced. Students will prepare a critical review of the literature in the format of reviews of papers and summaries of relevant evidence. This knowledge will enable students to be evidence-based practitioners.

Objectives

upon successful completion of this unit, students will be able to:

1. demonstrate an advanced understanding of the levels of evidence for evidence-based practice;
2. demonstrate ability to critique ways all levels of evidence are obtained: randomised controlled trials, single-subject studies, diagnostic tests, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, clinical practice guidelines, expert evidence, and case-control studies;
3. identify gaps in intervention practice knowledge, develop a researchable clinical intervention research question and search databases for best evidence to support practice;
4. demonstrate ability to find relevant evidence using a variety of formal and informal methods (eg health science databases, internet);
5. demonstrate ability to synthesis findings from multiple research studies to answer relevant clinical and practice questions;
6. apply the principles of evidence-based practice and use the best evidence available for professional practice;
7. communicate a summary of evidence succinctly and clearly both orally and in writing; and
8. write a critically appraised topic.

Assessment

Three critically appraised papers (750 words each): 30%
Critically Appraised Topic (5000 words): 60%
Oral presentation: 10%
Hurdle requirement: attendance at 80% of lectures and tutorials

Prerequisites

OCC2022