IPE 7050 - Evidence-Based Practice for Health Care Professionals

Hours: 3

This course provides an overview of the evidence-based practice process to prepare the health care professional as a consumer of scientific evidence for decision making. A process for formulating a practice question and conducting literature searches for existing evidence is included, as well as an overview of the research process for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods research with emphasis on the critical appraisal of evidence for determination of inclusion in a literature synthesis related to a practice question. The discussion of biostatistics focuses on determining the appropriateness of the statistical analysis and interpretation of the statistical results in the critically appraised research evidence. Finding and critically appraising research summaries, such as systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and meta-syntheses, and clinical practice guidelines is included. Effectively implementing, evaluating, and disseminating an evidence-based change process is discussed.