Week 1 | Introduction and orientation to the online platform | PowerPoint voice over How to navigate the course Portable Document Format (PDF) and video ‘Learning to learn online’ orientation booklet Welcome and introduction forum (asynchronous)
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Week 2 | Introducing evidence-based practice (EBP) and phrasing questionsDescribe what EBP is and the components thereof Discuss why EBP is important and needed State what evidence is and explain the five steps of EBHC and the hierarchy of evidence Discuss the importance of robust clear questions Apply the Population, Issue, Control, Outcome (PICO) format to formulate a question Explain the different types of PICO questions
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Week 3 | Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) and risk of bias (ROB)Explain the design of RCTs Identify the unique characteristics of an RCT Define bias Explain the importance of considering ROB in trials Explain the difference between bias and precision in trials Name and explain the different types of bias that SR authors consider in their reviews Use the Cochrane Collaboration’s ROB tool to categorise bias in RCTs
| PowerPoint voice over Online articles and video resources RCT ROB exercise MCQ Assessment Synchronous question and answer session with facilitators Asynchronous forum discussions
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Week 4 | Finding, reading and appraising SRSteps in finding the evidence How to search the Cochrane library Identify and explain the steps involved in conducting a SR Describe why critical appraisal is important Critically appraise a SR of effect using A MeaSurement Tool to Assess systematic Reviews (AMSTAR)
| PowerPoint voice over Online articles and video resources AMSTAR SR appraisal exercise Asynchronous forum discussion
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Week 5 | Interpreting SR resultsIdentify the different components of a Cochrane SR results section Interpret different measures of effect Interpret the results of a meta-analysis
| PowerPoint voice over Online articles and video resources Interpreting meta-analysis results exercise Synchronous question and answer session with facilitators Asynchronous forum discussions
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Week 6 | GRADE and Summary of Findings TablesDescribe the approach of using GRADE Be able to interpret Summary of Findings Tables Understand and apply GRADE to systematic reviews
| PowerPoint voice over Online articles and video resources GRADE and Summary of Findings interpretation exercise in synchronous session Asynchronous forum discussions
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Week 7 | Evidence into Policy and Practice: Knowledge Translation | |
Week 8–11 | Postcourse readings, discussions and continued access | |