scholarly journals From Drug Literature Evaluation to Evidence-Based Medicine: Transforming the Focus of a First Year Pharmacy Curriculum

2016 ◽  
Vol 7 (2) ◽  
Author(s):  
Shannon Reidt ◽  
Keri Hager ◽  
James Beattie ◽  
Amy Pittenger ◽  
Maureen Smith ◽  
...  

This case study describes a longitudinal curricular sequence implemented to teach evidence-based medicine (EBM) skills. The longitudinal sequence is innovative in its approach, design, and assessment of EBM. This approach moves away from the conventional strategy of teaching drug information and drug literature evaluation as stand-alone courses and instead embraces the EBM Framework and its use in the context of authentic problem solving. The EBM Framework—Ask, Acquire, Appraise, and Apply—was used as the basis for defining seven EBM skills. These skills were targeted in the evidence-based, integrated design of 17 learning episodes delivered with eight faculty members through six courses in the first year. Student perceptions of relevance of EBM and performance on assessments and learning activities throughout the sequence suggest that integrating EBM across the first year of the curriculum is an effective strategy for teaching EBM skills. Three themes emerged from analysis of the data and experience, including the need for: a strong teaching team, a whole task approach with a focus on solving authentic problems, and care in interpreting the progression of assessments and patterns of student performance. Through instructor observations and peer review, the longitudinal sequence has been refined and has had an impact on the rest of the curriculum.   Type: Case Study

1999 ◽  
Vol 8 (2) ◽  
pp. 99-107 ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Ferlie ◽  
M. Wood ◽  
L. Fitzgerald

2021 ◽  
Vol 50 (Supplement_1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Basia Diug ◽  
Bethany Howard ◽  
Kenneth Harvey

Abstract Introduction Authentic assessments facilitate student’s application of complex problem-solving skills and knowledge to real-world tasks. The whack-a-mole (WAM) project includes key critical thinking, biostatistics and epidemiology skills as well as elements of complexity and creativity skills that are particularly important when teaching evidence-based medicine to health professionals. Complementary and alternative medicines (CAMs) provide the current context as they are widely used in the Australian population making them an important subject amongst primary health care professional and policy makers. Aim To report student perceptions and learning after completion of the real-world authentic assessment WAM. Methods WAM required students to choose, document, investigate, identify, critically appraise and report on a complementary medication for sale in Australia. A total 464 students enrolled in a 3rd Biomedical Science capstone unit completed the WAM project report and video assessments in teams. Data on student perceptions was collected using an online questionnaire and analysed using SPSS 25 and NVIVO 11. Results The average overall mark for the WAM assessment was 52/60 (86%). 116 students (25%) completed the online questionnaire of which 92% of students indicated the whack-a-mole project changed their perceptions of complementary medicine and/or the regulation of goods and services in Australia. The majority of students found no (43%) or insufficient (55%) evidence to support product claims. These findings were supported by qualitative feedback. Conclusion Students applied the principles of EBM to the WAM project and in doing so altered their perceptions of CAM, regulation and scientific evidence. Key messages Authentic assessments play a key role in engaging student in real-world problem solving to advance their critical thinking and evidence-based medicine.


2019 ◽  
Vol 36 (1) ◽  
pp. 60-68
Author(s):  
Mandana Akbarinejad Mousavi ◽  
Mitra Amini ◽  
Somayeh Delavari ◽  
Ali Seifi

Summary Team-based learning (TBL) is a well-established instructional strategy that provides students with the chance to apply conceptual knowledge through a series of actions, including pre-class, individual, team class activity, and immediate feedback. The purpose of the present study was to introduce a course of teaching the evidence-based medicine (EBM) to all first-year medical residents in different disciplines at Shiraz Medical School in Iran country using the TBL instructional strategy. The sample included 86 medical residents at Shiraz Medical School. This study had a quasi-experimental design and was conducted in 12 sessions of evidence-based medicine (EBM) based on team-based learning (TBL) strategy. The obtained data were analyzed using SPSS software. In all sections, the results of Individual Readiness Assurance Tests (IRATs) and Group Readiness Assurance Tests (GRATs) were added and calculated. Cronbach’s alpha test was implemented to evaluate the reliability of the questionnaires. For the descriptive analysis of data, descriptive statistics were used. ANOVA and T-test were used for analytic analysis. There was a significant difference in answering the questions between individual (3.73 ± 2.33) and group (4.71 ± 2.29) stages. Residents gained higher average grades on working in the team (P-value < 0.02). Results of residents’ response about satisfaction questionnaire are shown that the best scores belong to group activities in TBL. The results of this study showed that TBL could be used as an effective method for residents’ education in different disciplines.


1998 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 49-57 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jacqueline A. Wrosch ◽  
Lynn Kasner Morgan ◽  
Jean Sullivant ◽  
Dana M. Lewis

2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ivan Buljan ◽  
Matko Marušić ◽  
Ružica Tokalić ◽  
Marin Viđak ◽  
Tina Poklepović Peričić ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Knowledge assessment in evidence-based medicine (EBM) is usually performed by the measurement of memorised facts, understanding of EBM concepts and application of learned knowledge in familiar situations, all of which are considered lower-level educational objectives. The aim of this study was to assess EBM knowledge both on higher and lower cognitive levels across EBM topics. Methods In order to assess knowledge on different EBM topics across learning levels, we created a knowledge test (Six Progressive Levels in Testing – SPLIT instrument), which consists of 36 multiple choice items and measures knowledge in EBM at six cognitive levels (Remembering, Understanding, Applying, Analysing, Evaluating and Creating) and addresses six EBM topics (Evidence-based practice, Internal validity, Clinical importance, Study design, Sources of evidence, Diagnostic studies). Three independent assessors defined the minimum passing score (MPS) for the overall test, based on the first-year course content and educational objectives. The instrument was assessed in a sample of first- (n = 119) and third-year medical students (n = 70) and EBM experts (n = 14). Results The MPS was 16 correct answers out of total 36 questions, and was achieved by 21 out of 119 first-year students, 14 out of 70 third-year students and 9 out of 14 EBM experts (χ2 = 13.3; P < 0.001, with significantly higher proportion of experts passing compared to students). Although experts had the highest scores overall, none of the groups outperformed others on individual cognitive levels, but the experts outperformed students in EBM topics of Study design and Sources of evidence (P = 0.002 and 0.004, respectively, Kruskal-Wallis test). First- and third-year students performed better on specific course topics taught in that study year (Diagnostic studies and Clinical relevance, respectively). Conclusion EBM knowledge of students and experts differ according to the specificities of their education/expertise, but neither group had excellent knowledge in all areas. It may be difficult to develop a knowledge test that includes different EBM topics at different cognitive levels to follow the development of specific and general aspects of EBM knowledge.


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