PMMDP1-Introduction to Evidence Based Medicine

Module Provider: Pharmacy
Number of credits: 20 [10 ECTS credits]
Level:7
Terms in which taught: Summer / Autumn / Spring module
Pre-requisites:
Non-modular pre-requisites: Have completed the Joint Programme Board (JPB) PGCert or a course equivalent to JPB PGCert which is approved via APL, registered as pharmacists with GPhC or PSNI, working at an accredited pharmacy practice site and have an educational supervisor able to supervise their practice.
Co-requisites:
Modules excluded:
Current from: 2022/3

Module Convenor: Miss Kat Hall
Email: k.a.hall@reading.ac.uk

Module Co-convenor: Ms Nicola Green
Email: nicola.green@reading.ac.uk

Type of module:

Summary module description:

This module aims to develop core knowledge and skills in critical appraisal related to evidence-based medicine.  In addition, it allows practitioners to demonstrate systematic and critical understanding of the knowledge and skills required to work independently within a specific area of pharmacy practice.

The module can be studied stand-alone or as part of the Joint Programmes Board Postgraduate Diploma in Foundation Pharmacy Practice or the MSc in Advancing Healthcare Practice.  A significant proportion of the module is workplace-based learning and practitioners are required to be working at an accredited workplace with an educational supervisor to support them in their studies.  Practitioners will be encouraged to reflect on their experiences by developing a professional portfolio of their learning, which is mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society Foundation Pharmacy Framework.

Aims:

To demonstrate critical appraisal skills required to present recommendations for evidence-based medicine.  To demonstrate systematic and critical understanding of the knowledge and skills required to work independently within a specific area of pharmacy practice.  Students will combine academic learning with workplace-based learning and self-directed study to enable them to apply their knowledge to real patient cases.

Assessable learning outcomes:

Knowledge:

1. Demonstrate an understanding of approaches used to critique medical literature such as the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (CASP) framework


2. Demonstrate an understanding of the role of clinical governance in healthcare and how it can be integrated into healthcare practice to achieve safe and effective medication use


3. Demonstrate meeting the learning objectives in the generic practice curriculum guide


4. Demonstrate meeting the learning objectives in the professional practice curriculum guide

Skills

1. Critically evaluate, using an appropriate framework, the relevant medical literature as applied to a therapeutic dilemma


2. Recognise and demonstrate the core skills of clinical decision making


3. Identify, prioritise and resolve the medicines management needs of patients, carers and health care professionals


4. Apply evidence-based medicine (EBM) to individualise patient care


5. Critically review the management and monitoring of patients with a range of common disease states, including critiquing the interpretation of pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic principles to make clinical decisions in complex situations


6. Critically review the management and monitoring of patients with a range of common disease states in complex situations, such as co-morbidities orpolypharmacy


7. Consult effectively with patients, carers and the multidisciplinary healthcare team, respecting diversity and confidentiality


8. Present information to other healthcare professionals and peers

Behaviours

1. Independently develop clinical pharmacy knowledge and skills in order to identify, prioritise and resolve complex pharmaceutical problems in a range of common conditions


2. Continually advance own knowledge and understanding through continuing professional development and life-long learning


3. Demonstrate a systematic approach to medicines optimisation for patients with a range of common conditions


4. Apply initiative and take responsibility for clinical decisions

Additional outcomes:

Outline content:

This module will focus on supporting practitioners to build on their core knowledge to understand how to use critical appraisal skills and evidence-based medicine to support their advancing practice.  Practitioners can choose the therapeutic focus of their workplace-based learning, within which they will apply a range of clinical and scientific knowledge to solve complex medication-related problems.

Global context:

This module is offered to UK practising pharmacists and is focused on the UK healthcare system.  Whilst it is mapped to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society’s Foundation Pharmacy Framework, this framework is also linked to the International Global Competency Framework and practitioners who wish to work overseas can consider how their developing knowledge, skills and behaviours can be mapped to both frameworks.

Brief description of teaching and learning methods:

This module will use a range of teaching and learning methods.  The University teaching is based around three face to face workshops using a mixture of presentations and problem-based learning, facilitated by the programme team, specialist pharmacists and other healthcare professionals.  The workshops are underpinned by directed learning via Blackboard and self-directed learning where practitioners are required to use a range of sources to gain information to support the development of their knowledge and skills.

A significant proportion of the programme is workplace-based learning where practitioners will undertake activities to develop their knowledge, skills and behaviours.  This will be guided by the professional portfolio of learning.

This module is studied over six months, and there may be more than one cohort per year, therefore the distinction of hours by term is not possible.  The hours shown for autumn term below are spread over the entire module.

Contact hours:

	Autumn	Spring	Summer
Seminars	12
Work-based learning	94
Guided independent study:
Wider reading (independent)	30
Preparation for tutorials	12
Completion of formative assessment tasks	10
Carry-out research project	30
Reflection	12
Total hours by term		0	0
Total hours for module	200

Summative Assessment Methods:

Method	Percentage
Written assignment including essay	25
Portfolio	50
Oral assessment and presentation	25

Summative assessment- Examinations:

End of module:

1. Professional portfolio of learning
   
   
   
   • 20 minute portfolio viva (marked as pass/fail)
   
   
   
   


2. Presentation of critical appraisal coursework (25%)
   
   
   
   • 20 minute presentation including questions
   
   
   
   

Summative assessment- Coursework and in-class tests:

1. Professional portfolio of learning (50%)
   
   
   
   • Portfolio contents review
   
   
   
   


2. Written report of critical appraisal coursework (25%)
   
   
   
   • Approximately 2,500 words in length
   
   
   
   

Formative assessment methods:

1. Workplace-based assessments during experiential learning


2. Feedback on workplace-based learning from educational supervisor


3. Six-monthly online progress test


4. Optional formative feedback on extended intervention


5. Optional formative feedback on draft critical appraisal coursework

Penalties for late submission:

The below information applies to students on taught programmes except those on Postgraduate Flexible programmes. Penalties for late submission, and the associated procedures, which apply to Postgraduate Flexible programmes are specified in the policy £Penalties for late submission for Postgraduate Flexible programmes£, which can be found here: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmissionpgflexible.pdf
The Support Centres will apply the following penalties for work submitted late:

• where the piece of work is submitted after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): 10% of the total marks available for that piece of work will be deducted from the mark for each working day (or part thereof) following the deadline up to a total of five working days;
• where the piece of work is submitted more than five working days after the original deadline (or any formally agreed extension to the deadline): a mark of zero will be recorded.

The University policy statement on penalties for late submission can be found at: https://www.reading.ac.uk/cqsd/-/media/project/functions/cqsd/documents/cqsd-old-site-documents/penaltiesforlatesubmission.pdf
You are strongly advised to ensure that coursework is submitted by the relevant deadline. You should note that it is advisable to submit work in an unfinished state rather than to fail to submit any work.

Assessment requirements for a pass:

1. The written coursework must be passed at 50%


2. The presentation must be passed at 50%


3. The professional portfolio of learning must be passed at 50% and contain all mandatory content


4. The professional portfolio of learning viva must be passed (marked as pass or fail)

Reassessment arrangements:

Reassessment will usually be arranged within a three-month period.  Where required, and determined to be achievable, it will be arranged promptly to not delay any further study.  Individualised timings may be required depending on the specific requirements for reassessment.

Additional Costs (specified where applicable):

Last updated: 22 September 2022