SYKK1060B Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Health Care Course description

The language is normally English.

This joint course is developed for all the Bachelor programmes at the Faculty of Health Sciences which are part of RETHOS (National guidelines for the Health and Social Studies), and is considered as an introductory course, preferably taken during the first part of the study programme.

In this course, starting with relatable examples, students will learn about asking critical questions about health claims and the sources of claims. This is followed up by focusing on the rationale for evidence-based practice (EBP) and its Core Competencies: Ask, Acquire, Appraise and Interpret, Apply, and Evaluate, and shared decision-making. The course provides a foundation for learning and applying more advanced and field-specific skills.

After completing the course, the student is expected to have achieved the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills, and general competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can present mental health work in a historical perspective
• can reflect on factors that inhibit and promote mental health at individual and group level
• can s discuss how psychosis, personality disorders, anxiety, mood disorder and drug addiction can influence the patients’ fundamental needs and self-understanding
• can describe mental health and psychosocial challenges among refugees and immigrants and how for example stigma, exclusion, discrimination, and racism can influence mental health and psychosocial health
• can describe strategies for mastery and concepts such as improvement processes, user participation, recovery, and empowerment
• can account for various mental disorders and the consequences for person-centered nursing
• can explain how framework factors such as current legislation and compulsory regulations can be of significance to the practice of nursing in mental health work
• can discuss the special needs of children and young people related to trauma, neglect, violence, abuse and drug and socio-economic problems

Skills

The student

• can apply key milieu therapeutic principles related to patients with mental disorders
• can apply knowledge about the main groups of psychotropic drugs and integrate knowledge from disease theory in assessing the effects and side effects of drugs
• can apply communication and interaction skills when encountering people with mental health issues and their next-of-kin and can establish, maintain, and terminate relationships
• can map symptoms of various mental and drug-related disorders and conditions and use relevant mapping tools in the practice of nursing
• is capable of continuously assessing situations that entail a risk for patients and/or staff and preventing unwanted incidents

General competence

The student

• can reflect on his/her own professional practice and power structures when encountering people with mental health issues and drug addictions and and receive guidance and feedback
• can reflect on existing procedures and methods in the field of practice, and taking the initiative to engage in dialogue about the implementation of new knowledge and new work methods in person-centred nursing and in interdisciplinary collaboration

The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

On successful completion of the course, the student has acquired the following learning outcomes classified as knowledge, skills and competence:

Knowledge

The student

• can define what EBP is and recognizes the rationale for EBP and shared decision making
• knows the steps of EBP
• is familiar with the levels in the S-pyramid and acknowledges the difference between single studies and systematic reviews
• knows the characteristics of a scientific article, e.g. IMRAD
• can explain the purpose and characteristics of qualitative and quantitative studies and syntheses of studies, e.g. systematic reviews
• understands the principles for critical appraisal and knows how to use check lists for different study designs, clinical guidelines and professional procedures
• knows different types of categorical and continuous measures of association and effect, and key graphical presentations

Skills

The student

• can identify different types of professional/clinical questions, such as questions about treatment, diagnosis, prognosis, experiences and etiology
• can, for each type of clinical question, identify the preferred order of study designs
• can formulate searchable professional/clinical questions using e.g. PICO and variations of PICO
• can construct and carry out an appropriate and simple search strategy for professional/clinical questions from the top of the S-pyramid

General competencies

The student

• can critically assess health claims in the media
• can discuss the importance of user knowledge, clinical experience, and summarized research in clinical decision-making

The teaching is mainly designed with "flipped classroom" and learning activities in class and smaller groups. Digital learning resources such as digital lectures, videos and films will be available to the students in advance. Students are recommended to use these resources and to be prepared before the lectures and the seminars. The students are specially recommended to participate at the presentation seminar since this seminar offers a unique opportunity for learning.

None.

Project examination, consisting of a group assignment with up to 7 students, based on a case with a health claim in the media. The assignment will include the levels of the EBP model. The assignment is submitted as a written paper of 1500 words (+/- 10 prosent) according to further specified criteria.

Each group decides whether their assignment is to be submitted in Norwegian, Swedish, Danish or English.

Resit exam: If the assignment is given the grade fail, the group can submit a revised version once.

If this attempt fails, the group is entitled to a third and final attempt. In a third attempt, the group must choose a new health claim and submit a new examination paper.

In this course, students will learn about mental health work, relational skills and factors that promote and harm the mental health of individuals and groups. People's resources and opportunities, but also their vulnerabilities as individuals, are areas of focus. The significance of close relationships and society's influence are important for mental health and are emphasised in the course. This includes patient phenomena such as hope and hopelessness, pain and pain relief, exhaustion and energy. You will complete 7 weeks of practical training in this course.

Pass/Fail. The same grade is given for all students in the group.

One external and one internal examiner will assess at least 10 percent of the assignments. To internal examiners will assess the remaining assignments. The external examiner’s assessment shall benefit all the students.

Practical training: in Municipal health service/Specialist health service, Mental health (7 weeks), including self-study, digital learning resources, lectures and seminars.

The flipped classroom is used as a teaching method for part of the course. Digital learning resources will be made available in advance.