Introduction

Evidence-based practice in rehabilitation aims to integrate the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient’s clinical state, circumstances, values and preferences. Clinicians use evidence-based practice to improve the quality, safety and effectiveness of the services they provide. This programme of courses emphasises the skills needed to synthesise evidence sources as they emerge and apply this knowledge to patient care. The courses within this programme cover five primary areas of evidence-based practice, including (1) creating a clinical question, (2) finding the evidence, (3) critically appraising the evidence, (4) applying the evidence, and (5) evaluating the outcomes/performance.

Aims

This programme aims to create clinicians who are efficient and critical consumers of published evidence and understand how to balance evidence with patients’ preferences and clinical expertise. It aims to develop lifelong learners who possess the knowledge, skill-set and tools required to keep current with the ever-expanding body of knowledge in rehabilitation.

Outline

This programme will cover the following topics:

1. Introduction and Overview of Evidence Based Practice
2. Defining the Evidence Based Practice Decision Making Model
3. Evidence Based Practice and Patient Needs
4. Locating the Knowledge Resources in Evidence Based Practice
5. Appraising the Quality of the Knowledge Resources
6. Formulating and Implementing the Treatment Plan and Evaluation
7. Using Evidence Based Practice to Decide on an Outcome Measure
8. Practical Examples of Evidence Based Practice

Target audience

This course is aimed at rehabilitation professionals, students and assistants including but not limited to Physiotherapists, Occupational Therapists, Speech and Language Therapists, Rehabilitation Doctors, Rehabilitation Nurses, Prosthetists, Orthotists, Psychologists, Audiologists, Dietetics, Social Workers. Community Health Workers, Nurses or Medical Doctors interested in this subject are also invited to participate.