Description
This course provides an overview of the evidence-based practice process to prepare the healthcare professional as a consumer of scientific evidence for decision making. A process for formulating a practice question and conducting literature searches for existing evidence. The course also includes 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 clinical practice guidelines is included. Effectively implementing, evaluating, and disseminating an evidence-based change process is discussed.