96008 Evidence-based Practice
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Subject handbook information prior to 2020 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 96001 Introduction to Pharmacy
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject focuses on the development of information retrieval, critical thinking and problem-solving skills. Students are introduced to the areas of evidence-based practice, pharmacoepidemiology and drug information, and their relevance to current pharmacy practice. Using current pharmacy practice examples, students develop skills in finding drug information, performing literature searches, critically evaluating the literature and applying evidence-based practice principles to ensure quality use of medicines.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 0017. | Provide constructive feedback to peers |
|---|---|
| 0018. | Define plagiarism and apply appropriate strategies to avoid it in both individual and group projects |
| 0019. | Recognise potential sources of group conflict and identify strategies for resolution |
| 0028. | Demonstrate ability to arrive at evidence-based conclusions by critical evaluation of scientific evidence |
| 0029. | Interpret experimental data in relation to pre-clinical and clinical investigations |
| 0046. | Demonstrate an understanding of the essential processes involved in evidence-based practice |
| 0047. | Discuss the application of epidemiological principles and tools to determine disease prevalence, population-based health issues and medicine use |
| 0048. | Identify and evaluate available evidence and apply this to the needs of an individual consumer or a specific population |
| 0049. | Apply the principles of pharmacoepidemiology to evidence-based practice |
| 0057. | Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges involved in balancing the needs of the individual and those of the wider community |
| 0113. | Implement practice decisions using evidence-based guidelines and/or rational therapeutic decision-making |
| 0152. | Utilise information retrieval skills to identify reference sources appropriate to the problem |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Demonstrate safe and competent operational, interpersonal and clinical skills for the benefit and care of patients and the wider community. (.01)
- Reflect on knowledge, skills and attributes required for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others. (.02)
- Analyse and synthesise knowledge of health science concepts and theory, and apply skills of scientific research and clinical reasoning to support decision-making in pharmacy practice. (.03)
- Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions. (.04)
- Demonstrate sound ethical, compassionate and respectful patient-focused care, taking responsibility for personal health and wellbeing. (.05)
- Integrate into daily practice knowledge of health systems and concerns in national and global communities, with awareness of the social and cultural contexts of health to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities. (.07)
- Represent pharmacy perspectives in multidisciplinary environments, and optimise patient outcomes through self-awareness and acknowledgement of the contributions of other healthcare disciplines. (.08)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Lifelong learning
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional capacity
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are client-focussed, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Global citizenship
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.
Cultural competence
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to eye health care with indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
Teaching and learning strategies
Evidence-based practice provides a framework for the integration of research evidence and patients’ values and preferences into the delivery of health care. It requires understanding of the methods used in clinical research and the ability to interpret and understand data derived from observational and experimental clinical studies.
Lectures and interactive workshops
Students are introduced to epidemiological concepts and clinical research methods through a series of lectures. Critical appraisal skills are developed through a series of workshops in which students review and critique original research studies using standard critical appraisal check-lists widely used by the research community. During these workshops, students work together in groups to critically appraise a research article and then de-brief and discuss their findings as a class at the end of the session. Students are guided by experienced researchers and are given mini-tutorials on various aspects of study design (e.g. randomisation) as required during the workshop. The articles are selected to highlight new/interesting areas of therapy and to stimulate student’s interest in clinical research. Integration with therapeutics is achieved by selecting articles related to therapeutic areas under study; this allows students to explore the therapeutic area in more depth and gain insights into research developments in the field. The interactive and dynamic nature of the workshops encourage a high level of student engagement, particularly when students discover flaws in clinical studies.
During the second half of the semester, students are exposed to qualitative methods of research; this is done in the context of aboriginal health. They are also introduced to the concept of patient-centered care and shared-decision making. Here they learn how to apply research evidence in the clinical setting through the use of patient decision aids and other tools.
Exams
In the final exam, students perform a critical review of an original research paper. This is an authentic exam that allows students to apply evidence-based practice skills as they would in the work setting.
Content (topics)
Basic epidemiological concepts
Finding research evidence (literature searching)
Methods used in quantitative and qualitative clinical research
Basic statistical analysis used in clinical research
Pharmacoepidemiolgy
Shared decision making and patient decision aids
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Quizzes (multiple choice questions)
| Intent: | To ensure that students actively engage in the range of workshop activities designed to enhance EBP skills. |
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .01, .02, .03, .04, .05, .07 and .08 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 15 minutes |
| Criteria: | Students must demonstrate understanding of the principles of epidemiology and the major study designs used in clinical research. |
Assessment task 2: Research Presentation
| Intent: | Students will be given a selection of research articles with differing conclusions about a particular area of clinical practice. They will be required to identify the strengths and weaknesses of each research article and provide an evidence-based opinion about the decisions that they would make in relation to the specific area of practice.
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|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0017, 0019, 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048, 0049 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .01, .02, .03, .04, .05, .07 and .08 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, group and individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 20 minutes (15 minute presenation + 5 minute questions) |
| Criteria: | Specific grading criteria will be provided in class. |
Assessment task 3: Final Exam (must-pass component)
| Intent: | In order to make evidence-based clinical decisions, health-care practitioners must have the knowledge and skill to evaluate original research articles relating to clinical studies. Through this assessment, students will be afforded the opportunity to test their critical appraisal skills, which require an ability to assess the validity, impact, and applicability of the research findings. A three hour period is allocated to the assessment, this allows sufficient time for students to read a previously unseen research article and answer TEN short answer questions in relating to the validity, impact, and applicability of the research findings.
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|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048, 0049 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: .01, .02, .03, .04, .05, .07 and .08 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 3 hours |
| Criteria: | Students must demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate and assess quantitative methods of research, specifically in relation to the validity, impact and applicability of the research findings. |
Minimum requirements
Students are required to attend a minimum of 85% of classes. Specifically, this means that they must attend at least 24 of the 28 hours of lectures, and 48 of the 56 Workshop hours. Failure to meet the minimum requirements may affect the final result in this subject.
This subject is assessed through a variety of modalities including class participation, assignments and a formal examination. A grade of at least 50% in the formal examination is required to pass this subject.
Note: There are must-pass assessments in this subject. Please check assessment details for details.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas
Recommended texts
Hoffmann,T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. (eds) 2013, Evidence-based practice across the health professions (2nd ed), Elsevier, Sydney, ISBN: 9780729541350