Outline

Overview

Evidence based health care is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individuals or the delivery of health services. This unit will introduce you to evidence based health care by developing your understanding of knowledge and evidence, and critical appraisal skills to inform your decision making in health care policy and practice.

Unit details and rules

Unit code	FMHU3000
Academic unit	Health Sciences
Credit points	6
Prohibitions ?	HSBH3005
Prerequisites ?	HSBH1007 or HSBH2007 or FMHU2000
Corequisites ?	None
Assumed knowledge ?	None
Available to study abroad and exchange students	Yes

Teaching staff

Coordinator	Rachel Thompson, rachel.thompson@sydney.edu.au
Lecturer(s)	Rachel Thompson, rachel.thompson@sydney.edu.au
Tutor(s)	Rachel Thompson, rachel.thompson@sydney.edu.au

Type	Description	Weight	Due	Length
Final exam (Record+)	Final Exam 90-minute examination with multiple choice and short answer questions	30%	Formal exam period	1.5 hours
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Evidence Synthesis Report Proposal Develop and receive feedback on a plan for your Evidence Synthesis Report	10%	Week 04 Due date: 25 Aug 2022 at 23:59	500 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Evidence Synthesis Report Synthesise research evidence to answer a chosen health-related question	40%	Week 09 Due date: 06 Oct 2022 at 23:59	2000 words
Outcomes assessed:
Assignment	Infographic Develop an infographic to effectively communicate research evidence	20%	Week 12 Due date: 27 Oct 2022 at 23:59	One page
Outcomes assessed:
= group assignment ? = Type B final exam ?

Assessment summary

Evidence Synthesis Report Proposal (10%): Students prepare a 500-word proposal in which they outline: (1) a hypothetical real-world scenario resulting in a health information need, (2) a focused, answerable health-related question, and (3) a strategy for searching for research evidence to answer the health-related question. Students will receive feedback on this proposal before executing their search strategy and preparing an Evidence Synthesis Report to answer their health-related question.

Evidence Synthesis Report (40%): Students prepare a 2000-word report in which they describe, critically appraise, and synthesise research evidence to answer the health-related question posed in their Evidence Synthesis Report Proposal. Preparation of this report will involve following a step-by-step process for critically appraising the validity, importance, and relevance of research evidence that we cover in this unit. As well as an opportunity to apply newly developed knowledge and skills, this assessment piece enables students to undertake an in-depth exploration of evidence on a health topic of interest to them.

Infographic (20%): In small groups, students design a one-page infographic that uses a combination of text and imagery to effectively communicate research evidence to a chosen hypothetical audience. Students will be given a list of published systematic reviews on various topics to choose from and will apply their knowledge of principles of effective communication to summarise key findings from the systematic review.

Final Exam (30%): Students sit a 90-minute examination during the formal exam period. The exam contains both multiple choice and short answer questions. The exam assesses understanding and application of concepts covered in online classes and tutorials throughout the unit. Students will be supported to practice the type of questions included in the exam and will be provided with a list of examinable concepts in advance of the exam.

Assessment criteria

Result name	Mark range	Description
High distinction	85 - 100	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an exceptional standard
Distinction	75 - 84	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a very high standard
Credit	65 - 74	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at a good standard
Pass	50 - 64	Awarded when you demonstrate the learning outcomes for the unit at an acceptable standard
Fail	0 - 49	When you don’t meet the learning outcomes of the unit to a satisfactory standard

For more information see guide to grades.

Late submission

In accordance with University policy, these penalties apply when written work is submitted after 11:59pm on the due date:

Deduction of 5% of the maximum mark for each calendar day after the due date.
After ten calendar days late, a mark of zero will be awarded.

Academic integrity

The Current Student website provides information on academic integrity and the resources available to all students. The University expects students and staff to act ethically and honestly and will treat all allegations of academic integrity breaches seriously.

We use similarity detection software to detect potential instances of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breach. If such matches indicate evidence of plagiarism or other forms of academic integrity breaches, your teacher is required to report your work for further investigation.

You may only use artificial intelligence and writing assistance tools in assessment tasks if you are permitted to by your unit coordinator, and if you do use them, you must also acknowledge this in your work, either in a footnote or an acknowledgement section.

Studiosity is permitted for postgraduate units unless otherwise indicated by the unit coordinator. The use of this service must be acknowledged in your submission.

Learning support

Simple extensions

If you encounter a problem submitting your work on time, you may be able to apply for an extension of five calendar days through a simple extension.  The application process will be different depending on the type of assessment and extensions cannot be granted for some assessment types like exams.

Special consideration

If exceptional circumstances mean you can’t complete an assessment, you need consideration for a longer period of time, or if you have essential commitments which impact your performance in an assessment, you may be eligible for special consideration or special arrangements.

Special consideration applications will not be affected by a simple extension application.

Using AI responsibly

Co-created with students, AI in Education includes lots of helpful examples of how students use generative AI tools to support their learning. It explains how generative AI works, the different tools available and how to use them responsibly and productively.

Weekly schedule

WK	Topic	Learning activity
Week 01	Understanding Evidence-Based Health Care	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Asking Questions	Online class (2 hr)
Week 02	Using the PICO Framework	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 03	Finding Evidence	Online class (2 hr)
Week 03	Searching Databases	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 04	Critically Appraising Evidence	Online class (2 hr)
Week 04	Navigating Journal Articles	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 05	Questions about Interventions	Online class (2 hr)
Week 05	Questions about Interventions	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 06	Questions about Diagnostic Tests	Online class (2 hr)
Week 06	Questions about Diagnostic Tests	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 07	Questions about Prognosis	Online class (2 hr)
Week 07	Questions about Prognosis	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 08	Questions about Patient Perspectives	Online class (2 hr)
Week 08	Questions about Patient Perspectives	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 09	Systematic Reviews	Online class (2 hr)
Week 09	Finding and Using Systematic Reviews	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 10	Communicating Evidence	Online class (2 hr)
Week 10	Finding and Using Patient Decision Aids	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 11	Shared Decision-Making	Online class (2 hr)
Week 11	Eliciting and Integrating Patient Preferences	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 12	Clinical Practice Guidelines	Online class (2 hr)
Week 12	Finding and Using Clinical Practice Guidelines	Tutorial (1 hr)
Week 13	Addressing Evidence-Practice Gaps	Online class (2 hr)
Week 13	Unit Synthesis and Review	Tutorial (1 hr)

Attendance and class requirements

Online Classes: In Weeks 1-13, you are required to watch a pre-recorded lecture and complete associated learning activities in your own time. The lecture and activities will be available on Canvas at the beginning of each week. It is important to watch the lecture and complete the activities before the tutorial each week.

Tutorials: In Weeks 2-13, you are required to attend a one-hour tutorial. There are three tutorial groups and all groups have a scheduled tutorial on a Tuesday. The tutorial groups at 11am and 12pm will attend face-to-face in the Susan Wakil Health Building (with no Zoom option). The tutorial group at 2pm will attend via Zoom (with no face-to-face option).

If you are unable to attend campus this semester and need to be allocated to the Tuesday 2pm Zoom tutorial group, please email the unit coordinator as soon as possible (rachel.thompson@sydney.edu.au).

Study commitment

Typically, there is a minimum expectation of 1.5-2 hours of student effort per week per credit point for units of study offered over a full semester. For a 6 credit point unit, this equates to roughly 120-150 hours of student effort in total.

Required readings

All readings for this unit can be accessed on Canvas.

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes are what students know, understand and are able to do on completion of a unit of study. They are aligned with the University's graduate qualities and are assessed as part of the curriculum.

Outcomes
Graduate qualities

At the completion of this unit, you should be able to:

LO1. Demonstrate an understanding that health decisions should be based on an integration of research evidence, clinical expertise, and the patient’s values, preferences, and circumstances
LO2. Generate focused, answerable questions about health interventions, diagnostic tests, prognosis, and patient perspectives
LO3. Locate research evidence to answer health-related questions
LO4. Critically appraise the validity, importance, and relevance of research evidence in the context of a health-related question
LO5. Synthesise and apply research evidence in order to answer a health-related question
LO6. Communicate effectively about health-related research evidence with diverse populations
LO7. Design strategies for implementing health-related research evidence and addressing evidence-practice gaps

Graduate qualities

The graduate qualities are the qualities and skills that all University of Sydney graduates must demonstrate on successful completion of an award course. As a future Sydney graduate, the set of qualities have been designed to equip you for the contemporary world.

GQ1	Depth of disciplinary expertise Deep disciplinary expertise is the ability to integrate and rigorously apply knowledge, understanding and skills of a recognised discipline defined by scholarly activity, as well as familiarity with evolving practice of the discipline.
GQ2	Critical thinking and problem solving Critical thinking and problem solving are the questioning of ideas, evidence and assumptions in order to propose and evaluate hypotheses or alternative arguments before formulating a conclusion or a solution to an identified problem.
GQ3	Oral and written communication Effective communication, in both oral and written form, is the clear exchange of meaning in a manner that is appropriate to audience and context.
GQ4	Information and digital literacy Information and digital literacy is the ability to locate, interpret, evaluate, manage, adapt, integrate, create and convey information using appropriate resources, tools and strategies.
GQ5	Inventiveness Generating novel ideas and solutions.
GQ6	Cultural competence Cultural Competence is the ability to actively, ethically, respectfully, and successfully engage across and between cultures. In the Australian context, this includes and celebrates Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander cultures, knowledge systems, and a mature understanding of contemporary issues.
GQ7	Interdisciplinary effectiveness Interdisciplinary effectiveness is the integration and synthesis of multiple viewpoints and practices, working effectively across disciplinary boundaries.
GQ8	Integrated professional, ethical, and personal identity An integrated professional, ethical and personal identity is understanding the interaction between one’s personal and professional selves in an ethical context.
GQ9	Influence Engaging others in a process, idea or vision.

Outcome map

Learning outcomes	Graduate qualities
Learning outcomes

Responding to student feedback

This section outlines changes made to this unit following staff and student reviews.

In response to student feedback and suggestions, changes have been made to the types, length, and weighting of assessment activities.

Disclaimer

The University reserves the right to amend units of study or no longer offer certain units, including where there are low enrolment numbers.

To help you understand common terms that we use at the University, we offer an online glossary.

Current students

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect

Current students

FMHU3000: Evidence Based Health Care

Semester 2, 2022 [Normal day] - Camperdown/Darlington, Sydney

Overview

Overview

Unit details and rules

Teaching staff

Assessment

Assessment

Assessment summary

Assessment criteria

Late submission

Academic integrity

Learning support

Learning support

Simple extensions

Special consideration

Using AI responsibly

Weekly schedule

Weekly schedule

Attendance and class requirements

Study commitment

Required readings

Learning outcomes

Learning outcomes

Graduate qualities

Outcome map

Responding to student feedback

Responding to student feedback

Disclaimer

On this page

Useful links

Media

Student links

About us

Connect