96008 Evidence-based Practice
Warning: The information on this page is indicative. The subject outline for a
particular session, location and mode of offering is the authoritative source
of all information about the subject for that offering. Required texts, recommended texts and references in particular are likely to change. Students will be provided with a subject outline once they enrol in the subject.
Subject handbook information prior to 2024 is available in the Archives.
Credit points: 6 cp
Subject level:
Postgraduate
Result type: Grade and marksRequisite(s): 96001 Introduction to Pharmacy
These requisites may not apply to students in certain courses.
There are course requisites for this subject. See access conditions.
Description
This subject focuses on the development of information retrieval, critical thinking and problem-solving skills and the application of these to pharmacy practice. Students are introduced to evidence-based practice, pharmacoepidemiology and drug information, and their relevance to current pharmacy practice. Using current pharmacy practice examples, students develop skills in finding drug information, performing literature searches, critically evaluating the literature and applying evidence-based practice principles to ensure quality use of medicines and patient-centred-care.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 0017. | Provide constructive feedback to peers |
|---|---|
| 0018. | Define plagiarism and apply appropriate strategies to avoid it in both individual and group projects |
| 0019. | Recognise potential sources of group conflict and identify strategies for resolution |
| 0028. | Demonstrate ability to arrive at evidence-based conclusions by critical evaluation of scientific evidence |
| 0029. | Interpret experimental data in relation to pre-clinical and clinical investigations |
| 0046. | Demonstrate an understanding of the essential processes involved in evidence-based practice |
| 0047. | Discuss the application of epidemiological principles and tools to determine disease prevalence, population-based health issues and medicine use |
| 0048. | Identify and evaluate available evidence and apply this to the needs of an individual consumer or a specific population |
| 0049. | Apply the principles of pharmacoepidemiology to evidence-based practice |
| 0057. | Demonstrate an understanding of the challenges involved in balancing the needs of the individual and those of the wider community |
| 0113. | Implement practice decisions using evidence-based guidelines and/or rational therapeutic decision-making |
| 0152. | Utilise information retrieval skills to identify reference sources appropriate to the problem |
Course intended learning outcomes (CILOs)
The learning outcomes for this subject are as follows:
- Reflect on knowledge, skills and attributes required for the evaluation and integration of emerging evidence into practice, promoting the growth of personal and professional learning and the education of others (01.02)
- Analyse and synthesise knowledge of health science concepts and theory, and apply skills of scientific research and clinical reasoning to support decision-making in pharmacy practice. (01.03)
- Demonstrate safe and competent operational, interpersonal and clinical skills for the benefit and care of patients and the wider community. (02.01)
- Engage in team undertakings adopting a range of roles in diverse teams, building cohesion and maximising team contributions. (02.04)
- Demonstrate sound ethical, compassionate and respectful patient-focused care, taking responsibility for personal health and wellbeing. (02.05)
- Integrate into daily practice knowledge of health systems and concerns in national and global communities, with awareness of the social and cultural contexts of health to meet the diverse needs of individuals and communities. (03.07)
Contribution to the development of graduate attributes
Lifelong learning
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are lifelong learners, committed to and capable of reflection and inquiry in their quest for personal development and excellence in professional practice.
Professional capacity
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are client-focussed, ethical practitioners with the understanding and proficiency to be leaders in their profession, capable of effectively researching and communicating solutions in a global context.
Global citizenship
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy contribute to society, resolving to undertake those actions and responsibilities that will enhance their role in local, national and global communities.
Cultural competence
Graduates of the Master of Pharmacy are culturally competent professionals, able to reflect on and explain their own cultural perspectives, accommodate cultural differences and achieve optimal outcomes through the adoption of a consultative approach to health care with indigenous Australians and other cultural groups.
Teaching and learning strategies
Evidence-based practice provides a framework for the integration of research evidence, clinician experience and patients’ values and preferences into the delivery of health care. It requires understanding of the methods used in clinical research and the ability to interpret and understand data derived from observational and experimental clinical studies and application of this understanding this to clinical decision and the delivery of clinical care.
In this subject, students learn through face-to-face teaching sessions, interactive workshops, collaborative discussion and individual quizzes.
Strategy 1: Student preparation for learning: Students will read research papers use online learning content to prepare for their participation in workshops and face to face learning.
Strategy 2: Face to face learning sessions: Weekly tutor led face to face learning sessions will be used to introduce key concepts for evidence-based practice
Strategy 3: Collaborative workshops: The collaborative workshops provide students with the opportunity to clarify and consolidate concepts presented in face-to-face learning sessions and online content, enabling students to develop deeper learning in development of their evidence -based practice skills. Students will have opportunity to engage in group discussion and oral presentation of their work to assist in understanding of evidence -based practice and how it underpins contemporary pharmacy practice.
Strategy 4: Formal and informal feedback: Frequent and consistent feedback throughout the coursed will be provided to encourage deeper learning. Informal feedback from both peers and tutors during the collaborative workshops enable students to develop the skills required to integrate evidence
Content (topics)
Sources of information to support evidence-based pharmcay practice
Pharmacoepidemiology, including research methods and statistics
Shared decision-making and patient decision aids
Applying the evidence base in clinical practice
Assessment
Assessment task 1: Review quizzes
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02 and 01.03 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 10-15 minutes |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on accuracy of answers provided by them with respect to the content covered during workshops and face-to-face learning sessions. |
Assessment task 2: Evidence-based practice group presentation
| Intent: | This assessment task contributes to the development of the following course intended learning outcomes:
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0017, 0019, 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048, 0049 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02, 01.03, 02.01, 02.04 and 02.05 |
| Type: | Presentation |
| Groupwork: | Group, individually assessed |
| Weight: | 30% |
| Length: | 20 minutes (15 minute group presentation + 5 minute questions) |
| Criteria: | The total grade for the group task will be moderated by a SPARK evaluation. Presentations will be marked based on the mastery of content, organisation, evidence of group collaboration and the demonstration of evidence-based practice. Please refer to Canvas for the marking criteria rubric for this assessment. |
Assessment task 3: Final examination (must-pass component)
| Intent: | In order to make evidence-based clinical decisions, health-care practitioners must have the knowledge and skill to evaluate original research articles relating to clinical studies and apply their findings to their clinical practice.
|
|---|---|
| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 0028, 0029, 0046, 0047, 0048, 0049 and 0057 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02, 01.03, 02.01, 02.05 and 03.07 |
| Type: | Examination |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 40% |
| Length: | 3 hours |
| Criteria: | Students must demonstrate an ability to critically evaluate and assess quantitative methods of research, specifically in relation to the validity, impact and applicability of the research findings. |
Minimum requirements
To pass this subject, students must achieve a minimum grade of 50%, and attend a minimum of 85% of compulsory classes.
Note: The final examination is a must-pass assessment in this subject. Please check assessment details for details.
Required texts
Coursework Assessments Procedures
Graduate School of Health Policy, Guidelines and Procedures (login required)
Additional required readings will be provided via Canvas
Recommended texts
Hoffmann,T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. (eds) 2013, Evidence-based practice across the health professions (2nd ed), Elsevier, Sydney, ISBN: 9780729541350 (Available online from the UTS Library)