Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: Conflicting evidence exists regarding the effectiveness of short pragmatic literature searching and/or critical appraisal skills workshops on the competency of healthcare professionals (HCPs) in evidence-based practice (EBP). Systematic reviews on this topic have identified an increase in HCP’s knowledge and attitudes following participation in educational workshops, although the majority of the evidence has been assessed as being of poor quality.
Objectives: This study will measure how effective EBP workshops are in improving the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours of HCPs over time.
Methods: Workshops will be delivered to two SingHealth staff groups: (1) 60 residents attending four hour workshops on pragmatic literature searching and/or critical appraisal, and (2) 30 mixed HCPs attending 2 whole-day workshops on systematic reviewing. Both workshops combine theory and practical participant activities in literature searching and critical appraisal of clinical studies. Evaluation of participants knowledge, attitudes and behaviour will be measured using some of the CREATE framework’s validated tools. This study will use the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs Scale (EBBS) to measure self-reported self-efficacy (all skills) and the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Scale (EBPIS) to measure self-reported adoption of behaviours (all skills) of all participants before and at 2, 6, and 12 months after the workshops. The Fresno Test will be used post-workshop to evaluate participants’ skills and knowledge in the EBP steps of: ask, search, and appraise. Data will also be collected during ad hoc consultations after the workshop.
Discussion: This study will add to the limited body of literature evaluating the effect of pragmatic literature searching and critical appraisal skills workshops on HCPs, referencing the CREATE framework1 for evaluating learning outcomes over a period of 1 year. The results could impact how workshops are taught, provide insights into how EBP is supported in SingHealth, and determine if changes are needed to improve EBP in practice.
Objectives: This study will measure how effective EBP workshops are in improving the knowledge, skills, attitudes, and behaviours of HCPs over time.
Methods: Workshops will be delivered to two SingHealth staff groups: (1) 60 residents attending four hour workshops on pragmatic literature searching and/or critical appraisal, and (2) 30 mixed HCPs attending 2 whole-day workshops on systematic reviewing. Both workshops combine theory and practical participant activities in literature searching and critical appraisal of clinical studies. Evaluation of participants knowledge, attitudes and behaviour will be measured using some of the CREATE framework’s validated tools. This study will use the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs Scale (EBBS) to measure self-reported self-efficacy (all skills) and the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation Scale (EBPIS) to measure self-reported adoption of behaviours (all skills) of all participants before and at 2, 6, and 12 months after the workshops. The Fresno Test will be used post-workshop to evaluate participants’ skills and knowledge in the EBP steps of: ask, search, and appraise. Data will also be collected during ad hoc consultations after the workshop.
Discussion: This study will add to the limited body of literature evaluating the effect of pragmatic literature searching and critical appraisal skills workshops on HCPs, referencing the CREATE framework1 for evaluating learning outcomes over a period of 1 year. The results could impact how workshops are taught, provide insights into how EBP is supported in SingHealth, and determine if changes are needed to improve EBP in practice.