Critical Appraisal for Evidence Based Practice
Suitable for: SLTs, Specialist Teachers, AHPs
Module Leader: Dr Helen Stringer
Summary
This module aims to develop Speech and Language Therapists’ and allied professional’s expertise in one of the key skills required for evidence-based practice (EBP), that of critical appraisal of research. Evidence-based practice is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual clients (CEBM, Oxford). Having its origins in the fields of medicine and clinical epidemiology, EBP is now a growing part of speech and language sciences. This module builds students’ abilities to use of critical appraisal tools to evaluate literature in the students’ own areas of specialisation in terms of methodological quality and begin to integrate this learning with their clinical expertise and client’s values.
Aims
To develop to an advanced level students’ critical appraisal skills. To deepen and extend the student’s core knowledge of their chosen subject area related to their clinical specialism (e.g. developmental language disorders, developmental speech disorders, aphasia, motor speech disorders, voice disorders, dysphagia) by critically appraising research in that and other areas.
Outline of Syllabus
1. Using critical appraisal tools
2. Critical appraisal of designated research articles in topics covering a range of specialist areas in SLT (group seminars), to include
a. Systematic reviews
b. Randomised controlled trials
c. Diagnostic accuracy studies
d. Other study types (e.g. case-control, cohort)e. economic evaluations
Learning Outcomes
Upon completion of this module, students will demonstrate the ability to search for relevant research in their own area of interest, evaluate the methodological quality of research using appropriate critical appraisal tools, locate studies on the hierarchy of evidence, and draw logical conclusions. This module will enable clinicians to critically evaluate published research in their own area of clinical specialism as well as in other areas, with respect to methodological quality and the hierarchy of evidence.
Teaching
Students will have the opportunity to apply a variety of critical appraisal tools to the scientific and professional literature representing a range of study methodologies.