Objectives Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an essential element in the delivery of high-quality care and healthcare professionals make clinical decisions based on the best available research. Experts and international organisations have emphasised the need for healthcare professionals to possess adequate competencies for EBP. An EBP learning laboratory has been established at an Italian university to educate medical and other health professional students in the use of evidence in clinical practice and research. Students 4 Best Evidence (S4BE) is an online community of students from around the world, from school age to university, who are interested in learning more about EBP. As well as featuring a library of learning resources, the site also provides a platform for students to write their own blogs.

The aim of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of an EBP laboratory, using S4BE as an educational tool, to teach EBP competence to undergraduate students of Physiotherapy.

Method We are running an observational pretest-posttest study. The sample includes 90 students completing a bachelor’s degree in Physiotherapy at an Italian University. The intervention consists of the use of S4BE to teach EBP competence. The evidence-based practice questionnaire (EBPQ) is being used to evaluate EBP attitude, knowledge, skills, and practice before the intervention, and at 3 months following the intervention. An intra-group analysis will be conducted.

Results The study is still ongoing with final data collection to be performed in March 2018: the results will be provided during the Evidence Live Conference 2018.

Conclusions This observational study will provide evidence regarding the effect of S4BE, as an educational intervention to teach EBP competencies. The hypothesis is that engagement with S4BE will lead to improvements in students’ skills and understanding of EBP during their clinical training.