Evidence-Based Medicine for the Medical Librarian

The Fall 2018 course is full. To be added to the interest list for Spring 2019, please email Shirley Parker with names, email addresses, and titles.

 

Evidence Based Medicine for the Medical Librarian will be offered from September 9th to November 18th, 2018. The cost for this course will be $500 U.S. dollars (only Visa/MasterCard accepted).

Please e-mail Shirley Parker with any registration questions and to be added to the interest list. The registration date for the Spring 2019 cohort has yet to be determined. Please check back for updates.

Course Description

This 8-week online course is designed to be an introduction to the process of evidence-based practice (EBP) and to the supporting roles and opportunities for medical librarians. Participants will learn how to identify the basic study designs for clinical medicine,  compose focused clinical questions, peer review search strategies, and assess the risk of bias in published studies. As you move through the content, you will be able to identify roles librarians can undertake in providing EBP training and support.

The format of the course is a combination of a printed manual, independent readings, videos, webinars, and practice through a series of exercises. Instructors will guide you through the material and provide individual feedback for the exercises.

The course is approved for 3 academic credits.  UNC SILS students are expected to attend a MEDLINE session taught on campus by one of the instructors and write a research paper related to EBM and Medical Librarianship.

This course is also open to practicing librarians.  It has been approved for 20 MLA contact hours.  It will take approximately 30 hours to complete the course, depending on previous knowledge of EBM and other factors. 

For more information about the course, please e-mail Sarah Cantrell. For registration information, please e-mail Shirley Parker who will add you to the interest list for notification of registration for the next session.

Course Objectives

After completing this class, participants should be able to:

  • Identify and explain the 6 steps in the practice of EBP 
  • Identify the major study designs in clinical medicine
  • Identify the parts of a well-built clinical question 
  • Identify appropriate resources to answer clinical questions
  • Identify and explain the potential risks of bias in randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews. 
  • Identify and explain the potential risks of bias for at least one other type of study (prognosis, harm or diagnosis)
  • Identify at least 4 roles for librarians in supporting EBP education and practice for health care professionals

Course Outline

Week One and Two: Introduction and Question Building

  • What is EBM?
  • Why is EBM important?
  • Is it reasonable to expect evidence from the literature?
  • What are the controversial issues surrounding EBM?
  • What is the librarian's role in EBM?
  • Constructing a well-built clinical question
  • Class Review 1 and Exercise 1
Week Three and Four: Selecting the Resources and Conducting the Search
  • Selecting resources
  • Searching MEDLINE
  • How to teach MEDLINE within context of EBM
  • Class Review 2 and Exercise 2
Week Five and Six: Evaluating the Evidence
  • Role of the Librarian
  • Appraising articles on Diagnosis
  • Appraising articles on Therapy
  • Appraising articles on Prognosis
  • Appraising articles on Etiology/Harm
  • Appraising articles on Overviews
  • Class Review 3 and Exercise 3
Week Seven and Eight: Roles for the Librarian, Final Assignment and Wrap-up
  • Roles for the Librarian
  • Final Assignment (and Final Project for UNC SILS students only)
  • Class evaluation

Instructors

Sarah Cantrell
 
Megan von Isenburg
Phone: 919-660-1131
Office hours by appointment

Refund Policy

Registration begins Wednesday, 08/01/2018. Cost of course for Fall 2018 is $500.00. 
Date Refund Rate Amount Refunded
Friday, 8/3 90%  $365
Monday, 8/6 70% $350
Monday, 8/13 50% $250 
Monday, 8/20 No Refunds