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Department of Pharmacy & Pharmacology, Unit Catalogue 2008/09


PA50240 Using evidence in practice

Credits: 6
Level: Masters
Modular: no specific semester
Assessment: CW 100%
Requisites:
Before taking this unit you must take PA50181
Aims: To increase students' knowledge and develop students' competence in searching, accessing and using information relating to medicines. To provide an overview of the science of evidence based medicine (EBM) and to understand the importance of classifying and evaluating the evidence that is used to inform their practice and clinical decision making.
Learning Outcomes:
At the end of the unit students will be able to:
1. Describe the type and functions of commonly available information resources and be able to list the types of evidence from an EBM perspective.
2. Demonstrate proficiency in the use of the internet and/or local intranet.
3. Use and critically evaluate standard databases to retrieve information.
4. Critically appraise common types and sources of literature including systematic reviews, and to identify the key components of a systematic review.
5. Explain key elements of statistical methods used in literature and calculate numbers needed to treat and similar concepts.
6. Compare and critically evaluate the use and role of UKMi specialist centres, national and international bodies producing reviews, practice interest groups, governmental and professional bodies, the pharmaceutical industry, and private agencies.
7. Reflect on their own interaction with the evidence base and practice in retrieval and use of medicines information and identify areas for continuous improvement
Skills:
* Planning & organisation (Taught / Facilitated)
* Handling information (Taught / Facilitated /Assessed)
* Written communication (Taught / Facilitated /Assessed)
* Working with others (Taught / Facilitated)
* Scientific & practical skills (Taught / Facilitated /Assessed)
* Improving learning & performance (Taught / Facilitated /Assessed)
* Information & communication technology (ICT) (Taught / Facilitated)
* Problem solving (Taught / Facilitated /Assessed).
Content:
* Introduction to Medicines Information
* Answering Enquiries - The Process, Searching for Information, Preparing and Providing an Answer
* Introduction to Evidence Based Practice
* Tools of evidence based medicine
* Systematic review and meta analysis
* Critical Appraisal 1
* CATs and PoEMs
* Critical Appraisal 2
* Searching
* Advanced EBM.