SYKP1060 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. 

All aids are permitted, as long as the rules for source referencing are complied with.

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.

.The student must have been admitted to the study programme.

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. 

Lectures, hospitalisation (practice), group work, digital textbooks and digital supervised seminars. The course is organised as flipped classroom. Digital textbooks will be made available to students in advance.

Project-based practical training: The students work with various topics related to health-promoting and preventive work based on practical experience 3 weeks, including INTER1200).

INTER1200 'Communication with children and adolescents' forms part of a common seminar day, digital learning resources and assignments related to interprofessional group work and self-study.

The following must have been completed and approved in order for a student to take the exam:

• Project-based practical training, 3 weeks, compulsory attendance of 90 %
• Work in groups with the design of the project assignment throughout the course period
• INTER1200, Individual log. Scope: 500 words (+/- 10 %). In order to write the log, the student must first attend a seminar over two days.

Group project exam

• Groups until 10 students
• Scope of 3,500 words (+/- 10%).

The assignment can be given in English or Scandinavian language. The individual group must deliver in the same language.

Resit exam: A student who fails the ordinary exam, may nevertheless submit a reworked version as a resit.

Pass/fail. One overall grade is awarded for the whole group.