PAM1013 Evidence Based Professional Practice

2010-2011

Code: PAM1013
Level: 1
Title: Evidence Based Professional Practice
Instructors: Ms R. Palfrey
CATS Credit Value: 20
ECTS Credit Value: 10
Pre-requisites: N/A
Co-requisites: N/A
Duration: M1-M11
Availability: Programme B821 only
Background Assumed: N/A
Directed Study Time: 40 hours
Private Study Time: 110 hours
Assessment Tasks Time: 50 hours

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 seminars, workshops and tutorials.

Learning / Teaching Methods

Interprofessional learning. Lectures (20×1hour), seminars and workshops (8×1hour), directed self-study (12×1hour) .

Assignments

An appraisal of a piece of published research relevant to professional healthcare practice (deadline week L0).

Assessment

2500-word appraisal (100%).

Syllabus Plan and Content

1. Study skills: essay construction, examination skills
2. IT Skills
   Manipulation, interpretation and presentation of data using computer packages such as spreadsheets.
3. Library facilities
   1. General introduction (workshop)
   2. Search and retrieval of electronic journals (workshop)
4. Quantitative and qualitative research approaches.
5. Research designs and methods of data collection.
6. Issues of reliability, validity and rigour in research.
7. Ethical and professional considerations in health care research.
8. Analysis and interpretation of research findings.
9. Critical appraisal.
10. Application of research to professional health care practice.

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.