Introduction

In this course we will be using evidence-based health care as the framework for discussion of issues in contemporary research.

What is evidence-based health care?

At present, many health care decisions are still driven principally by values and resources and needs - values based decision making. Little attention has been given, or is paid, to applying any evidence derived from research... Even in cases for which evidence is difficult to find or poor in quality, the decision taken may ultimately be driven by values, resources and needs, the decision maker must search for, appraise and present the evidence. (Muir Gray, 2009, p.13)

Why study evidence-based health care?

1. continually escalating costs of medical care: it will improve the quality and effectiveness of health care and provide a much firmer base for future economic decisions
2. population evidence: limited effectiveness of medical care in improving the health and well-being of populations, and public accountability
3. clinical evidence: potential for increasing the effectiveness of medical care; to help patients, payers and providers to make rational medical care-related choices based on a better insight into the effectiveness of these choices on the patient's life
4. variations evidence: wide variations in practice and accessibility which are as yet not fully explained
5. health care reform: provinces and regions within provinces are making changes to all aspects of health care requiring substantiation and evaluation

All research methodologies are appropriate for evidence-based health care, and all of the research issues will be found within this content.

Evidence-based health care is used synonymously with care based on objective health outcomes.

Course Goals

To assist the student so that he/she will be able to demonstrate:

1. an understanding of what is evidence-based health and health care, and the types of health care decisions requiring evidence
2. an understanding of the implications of evidence-based practice for the health care system
3. the ability to locate and evaluate evidence
4. a knowledge of the methods available to generate evidence
5. the ability to use evidence in decision-making
6. the ability to identify different types of outcomes
7. an understanding of the issues related to implementation of research findings within practice, both administrative and clinical
8. an ability to identify research issues
9. an ability to share ideas, resources, and practice examples of issues

Course Materials

Textbook

Online

Online articles as indicated week by week.

Special Course Features

In this course, you will access health-related websites worldwide. You will also participate in email and computer conferencing with other students. Students are expected to connect to an Internet Service Provider at their own expense.

Technical Requirements

Computer System

In order to successfully complete this course, you must own or have ready access to certain computer hardware and software programs. For complete and up-to-date information on the minimum computer requirements required to complete the graduate nursing courses, visit the Centre for Nursing and Health Studies technical site.

Course Outline

The course consists of the following 11 units:

Unit 1: Orientation and Introduction

Unit 2: Evidence-based Health Care

Unit 3: Making Decisions about Health Services

Unit 4: Finding Good Quality Evidence

Unit 5: Assessing the Quality of Research

Unit 6: Assessing the Outcomes Found

Unit 7: Evidence-based Health Services Management

Unit 8: Evidence-based Public Health

Unit 9: Developing the Skills of Individuals

Unit 10: Evidence-based Clinical Practice

Unit 11: Major Paper, Evaluation, and Wrap-up