Work

Critical appraisal training increases understanding and confidence and enhances the use of evidence in diverse categories of learners

Year: 2012

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: Training in evidence-based medicine is most commonly offered to physicians, medical students and health-care decision-makers. SETTING AND PARTICIPANTS: We partnered with community organizations to recruit participants and develop trainings for consumers, non-physician health-care providers and journalists in California. INTERVENTION: We conducted half-day and one-day workshops in critical appraisal of health evidence. Workshops consisted of didactic presentations, small-group practice sessions and class discussions. OUTCOME MEASURES: We measured knowledge and confidence immediately before and after the workshops and at follow-up 6 months later. We also asked participants to describe their use of health evidence before the workshops and at follow-up. RESULTS: At baseline, 41% of the consumers, 45% of the providers and 57% of the journalists correctly answered questions about health evidence. Scores increased by about 20% (P < 0.05) in all groups at the end of the workshops and remained significantly over baseline at follow-up. At baseline, 26% of the participants were confident in their understanding of critical appraisal concepts, significantly increasing to 54% after the workshops and sustained (53%) at follow-up. During discussions, participants' comments often focused on funding and the potential effects of financial conflicts of interest on study findings. Participants did not use evidence more frequently at follow-up but said that they applied workshop skills in evaluating research, communicating with others and making decisions about health care. CONCLUSION: It is possible to successfully conduct critical appraisal workshops to aid health-related decision making for groups who have previously not had access to this kind of training.

Source: Health Expectations

DOI: 10.1111/hex.12030

Authors: Donna H. Odierna, Jenny White, Susan Forsyth, Lisa A. Bero

Institution: University of California, San Francisco

Language: English

Topic: Health Sciences Research and Education

Subfield: General Health Professions

Field: Health Professions

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: bronze