The Beginner’s Guide to Making Meaning of Medical Research
If you’re the person who wants to know “Why?” and are looking to take your first steps into finding, understanding, and making meaning from research, then this class is for you. Set the statistics aside for now. Where we tell you where to find original research as well as expert commentary on that research. You’ll learn how to decide what research is worth reading, how to tell which research is going to change practice and which is simply raising new questions. Most importantly you learn to begin applying relevant research to your own work. Making meaning of medical research is a must-have skill for any modern healthcare provider and this class will help you get started.
Key Concepts:
Define EBM
Recommendation Strength and level of evidence
Define “original research”
Where to find research to read
Is it worth reading? (abstract)
Appraising using AA BB CC method
Types of studies / research (prospective randomized controlled double-blinded)
The format of a research paper
Correlation vs causation
Generalizing and applying (or not)
Define critical review
Where to find critical reviews
#FOAMed
Cochrane reviews
Teaching Formats:
-Lecture
-Case studies
-Question and Answer
Learning Objectives: Students will be able to:
- Explain how levels of recommendation and strength of evidence apply to modern medical practice.
- Identify where to find relevant research to a particular topic.
- Appraise original medical research.
- Apply relevant research to their own medical practice.
