PAM1013 Evidence Based Professional Practice

2007-2008

Code: PAM1013
Title: Evidence Based Professional Practice
Instructors: Dr H. Dehghani
CATS credits: 20
ECTS credits: 10
Availability: B821 only
Level: 1
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Background Assumed: N/A
Duration: Weeks 1-10
Directed Study Time: 40 hours
Private Study Time: 160 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: -
Observation report: 2006/07 SJW

Aims

This module introduces students to the principles of evidence-based practice and research methodologies that underpin patient/client care. Students will be introduced to the principles of professional practice within health and social care. In the context of evidence-based professional practice, students will develop basic problem solving and reasoning skills. Alongside this they will develop an understanding of professional practice.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Students should be able to:

Module Specific Skills

• demonstrate a basic understanding of a range of different research approaches that underpin evidence-based practice;
• identify the relevance of research-based evidence to professional practice;
• distinguish between research methodologies and other approaches that underpin evidence-based practice;
• describe an appropriate search strategy;
• locate research evidence using electronic sources/databases;
• explain the importance of research-based evidence for health care professionals in practice;

Discipline Specific Skills

• describe appropriate search strategies to locate research evidence using electronic sources/databases;
• use appropriate sources of information to develop own knowledge;

Personal and Key Skills

• participate actively in tutorials.

Learning and Teaching Methods

Interprofessional learning. Lectures (20×1hour) , seminars (4×1hour) and workshops, directed self-study (16×1hour) .

Assignments

An appraisal of a piece of published research relevant to professional healthcare practice.

Assessment

2500-word appraisal (100%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

1. Study skills: essay construction.
2. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
3. Research designs and methods of data collection.
4. Issues of reliability, validity and rigour in research.
5. Ethical and professional considerations in health care research.
6. Analysis and interpretation of research findings.
7. Critical appraisal.
8. Application of research to professional health care practice.
9. Interprofessional Work

Core Text

Not applicable

Supplementary Text(s)

Bowling A. (2002), Research Methods in Health: Investigating Health and Heatlh Services (2^nd edition), Open University Press (UL: WB 25 BOW)
Brown S.J. (1999), Knowledge for Health Care Practice: A Guide to Using Research Evidence, W.B. Saunders Company, ISBN 0-721-67803-3 (UL: WB 20 BRO)
Craig J.V. and Smyth R.L. (2002), Evidence Based Practice Manual for Nurses, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-07064-4 (UL: WY 205 EVI)
Dawes M. et al. (2005), Evidence-Based Practice. A Primer for Health Care Professionals (2^nd edition), Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-07299-X (UL: WB 20 EVI )
Gomm R., Davies and C. (2000), Using Evidence in Health and Social Care, Sage Publications, ISBN 0-761-96495-9 (UL: WB 20 USI)
Gray J.A.M. (2001), Evidence Based Healthcare (2^nd edition), Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-06288-9 (UL: WB 20 GRA)
Polgar S. and Thomas S.A. (2000), Introduction to Research in the Health Sciences, Churchill Livingstone, ISBN 0-443-05039-2 (UL: WB 25 POL)
Polit D.F. and Beck C.T. (2006), Essentials of Nursing Research: Methods, appraisal and utilisation (6^th edition), Lippincott Williams & Wilkins, ISBN 0-781-74972-7 (UL: WY 20 POL)

Formative Mechanisms

Feedback and guidance is given in seminars.

Evaluation Mechanisms

The module will be evaluated using information gathered via the student representation mechanisms, the staff peer appraisal scheme, and measures of student attainment based on summative assessment.