96008 Evidence-based Practice
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Subject handbook information prior to 2025 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.
Pharmacists are an important first contact for consumers seeking health care advice. In this subject students develop their ability to use evidence to inform health care decision-making in the primary care environment. Information retrieval, critical evaluation, problem solving, and communication skills are developed to enable effective implementation of evidence-based health care into practice. Students are introduced to the role of the pharmacist as a provider of primary health care and develop clinical expertise in common primary care illnesses that can be managed in the pharmacy.
Subject learning objectives (SLOs)
| 03. | Communicate complex health-related information in a manner appropriate to the target audience |
|---|---|
| 08. | Critically evaluate scientific evidence to arrive at evidence-based conclusions |
| 09. | Interpret experimental data in relation to pre-clinical and clinical investigations |
| 10. | Employ an evidence-based approach to patient care and clinical practice |
| 14. | Develop proficiency in collaborative learning by actively engaging with peers, contributing effectively to group discussions and activities, providing constructive feedback, and applying conflict resolution strategies within team learning environments. |
| 30. | Develop a comprehensive understanding of illness and disease presentation in individuals and groups, recognising specific clinical signs and symptoms for differential diagnosis and variations based on patient characteristics |
| 31. | Integrate relevant patient, drug, disease and system factors in the selection and management of appropriate therapy for patients |
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 primary health care 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 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.
Preparatory work
To get the most out of on-campus sessions, students are expected to complete the preparation activities in Canvas prior to attending class. Students are provided with the resources to complete approximately 90 minutes of preparatory work to enable engagement during face-to-face workshops. Students will read research papers use online learning content to prepare for their participation in workshops and face-to-face learning.
Lectures and online learning materials
This subject benefits from both the real time delivery of content and access to online resources including; videos, recordings and online learning modules. Online lectures and Canvas learning modules will be used to introduce key concepts for evidence-based primary health care.
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 the 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.
Formal and informal feedback
Frequent and consistent feedback throughout the course 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 into practice.
Content (topics)
Sources of information to support evidence-based pharmacy 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: | To reinforce students ability to apply theoretical evidence-based knowledge to patient management within the pharmacy setting, ensuring students can effectively integrate and utilise evidence-based practices in real-world scenarios. |
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 08, 09, 10, 30 and 31 This task is aligned with the following course learning outcomes: 01.02 and 01.03 |
| Type: | Quiz/test |
| Groupwork: | Individual |
| Weight: | 15% |
| Length: | 10 minutes |
| Criteria: | Students will be assessed on the accuracy of answers provided by them with respect to the content covered in preparatory materials, online lectures and online learning as well as face-to-face collaborative workshops |
Assessment task 2: Evidence-based practice group presentation
| Intent: | For students to collaboratively investigate and critically review evidence related to a primary health care question from a patient, and to formulate an evidence-based response, thereby enhancing their skills in evidence synthesis and patient-centered communication
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 08, 09, 10, 14, 30 and 31 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: | 35% |
| 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: Evidence-based primary health care scenarios (must-pass)
| Intent: | To equip students with the knowledge and skills needed to evaluate original research articles and apply their findings to clinical practice. Students will read, interpret, and critically evaluate a research paper to apply its findings to various clinical primary care scenarios, ensuring they can make informed, evidence-based clinical decisions
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| Objective(s): | This task is aligned with the following subject learning objectives: 03, 08, 09, 10, 30 and 31 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: | 50% |
| 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
Community Pharmacy: Symptoms, Diagnosis and Treatment. Rutter P, Newby D. 4th edition, 2019
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)