BIOB1060 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.

The course consists of the following subject areas, specified below as the number of credits:

• Microbiology, 7 credits
• Infection immunology, 3 credits

Passed first year of the programme or equivalent.

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 describe the important properties of some of the most prevalent forms of human pathogenic microorganisms
• can give examples of how microorganisms can cause disease
• can describe the main principles of antibiotics’ mechanisms of action
• can describe some of the resistance mechanisms of bacteria and explain how bacteria can develop resistance to an antibiotic
• can explain how microorganisms can be determined with the help of microscopy, cultivation, bio-chemical, immunological and gene technology methods and mass spectrometry, and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can assess the importance that findings of different microorganisms can have in different types of sample material
• can explain the principles behind different immunological methods for detection of antibodies against microorganisms and describe the methods’ areas of use, possibilities and limitations
• can explain quality assurance for relevant methods and analyses
• has knowledge of sample collection and the correct treatment of different types of sample material for microbiological investigations, and how analytical, pre- and postanalytical conditions influence analysis results
• can explain principles for sterilisation and disinfection
• is familiar with how social conditions affect the extent of various infectious diseases and the development of resistance at a national and global scale

Skills

The student

• can detect, isolate and identify important human pathogenic microorganisms and carry out resistance testing on antibiotics, quality assuring methods used and assess sources of error
• can carry out and quality assure different methods for detecting antibodies in patients in connection with infection or vaccination and assess possible sources of error related to these
• can perform work in a responsible manner that safeguards infection control
• can follow procedures for responsible waste management both with regards to the danger of infection and the environment

General competence

The student

• is familiar with the laws and regulations relating to infection control in society and the health services
• can reflect on his/her own practice, keeping up with the latest academic research, seeking and receiving supervision
• can interpret an order containing clinical information and provide the correct test result

Work and teaching methods include lectures, assignments (individually and in groups) and laboratory work.

Most teaching activities take place in the laboratory, where findings of microorganisms and their antibodies, if any, from different types of sample material are examined. Relevant theory is linked to practice through lectures, individual assignments and various forms of group assignments in addition to self-study.

In order to be permitted to take the exam, the following must have been approved:

• a minimum of 90 per cent attendance in laboratory work
• a minimum of 80 per cent attendance in scheduled group work
• laboratory reports in accordance with specified criteria

Combined assessment:

Part 1) Individual practical exam, 3 hours.

Part 2) Supervised individual written exam, 2 hours.

One overall grade is awarded based on the following weighting of the parts of the exam: Part 1, practical exam, 70 per cent; part 2, written exam, 30 per cent. Students must be awarded a pass grade A-E for both parts of the exam in order for a student to pass the course.

Resit exam: If the student is awarded an F in one part of the exam, this part of the exam must be retaken.

Students can appeal the grade awarded for part 2 of the exam.

No aids are permitted.

A-F.

Part 1, practical exam: One external and one internal examiner.

Part 2, written exam: All exam papers are assessed by two examiners. At least 20% of the exam papers will be assessed by an external examiner. The external examiner’s assessment shall benefit all students.

7 credits overlap with the course BIO2200 Medical Microbiology and Immunological Diagnostics