HLTH 1014 Evidence in Health (WSTC)

This is an archived copy of the 2021-2022 catalog. To access the most recent version of the catalog, please visit https://hbook.westernsydney.edu.au.

Credit Points 10

Legacy Code 700315

Coordinator Ryan Sidoti Opens in new window

Description This unit will introduce skills for finding and using the best available evidence in health. This begins with understanding thinking systems, biases and why we often don't accept, or respond, to facts, science and evidence. Students will learn the evidence-based practice process to formulate questions and find appropriate and relevant evidence from the unending amount of information available. The unit covers key concepts in how to read and understand a research paper. Students will develop skills for communicating evidence to strengthen arguments in academic writing and professional practice.

School Health Sciences

Discipline Health, Not Elsewhere Classified.

Student Contribution Band HECS Band 2 10cp

Check your HECS Band contribution amount via the Fees page.

Level Undergraduate Level 1 subject

Equivalent Subjects HLTH 1002 Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice (UWSC)
HLTH 1001 Foundations of Research and Evidence-Based Practice
HLTH 1012 Evidence in Health

Restrictions Students must be enrolled at The College. Students in Extended programs (7142, 7143) need to have passed 40 CPs of preparatory subjects in order to enrol in this subject. Students in Integrated programs (6000, 7018, 6001, 7088) need to have passed or be enrolled in the preparatory subjects in these programs in order to enrol in this subject.

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this subject, students should be able to:
  1. Recognise personal thinking styles and associated biases
  2. Describe the reasons for the 5 steps of evidence-based practice
  3. Design a sensitive and specific PICO search strategy to find best available evidence
  4. Identify type, level and key research concepts in journal articles
  5. Integrate strength and relevance of evidence findings into academic writing

Subject Content

1.Critical thinking
a.Introduction to epistemology
b.System 1 and 2 thinking
c.Heuristics, biases and certainty
d.?gWhy we don?ft believe the facts?h
e.Ethics and evidence
f.Reflective practice
2.Evidence-based Practice (EBP) Process
a.5-step EBP process
b.Step 1 Formulating questions
c.Step 2 Sources of evidence
i.Search strategies
ii.Information literacy
iii.Reader bias
3.How to read a paper
a.Article sections
b.Types of research
c.Levels of evidence
d.Key research concepts (e.g. measurement, reliability, valid

Assessment

The following table summarises the standard assessment tasks for this subject. Please note this is a guide only. Assessment tasks are regularly updated, where there is a difference your Learning Guide takes precedence.

Item Length Percent Threshold Individual/Group Task
Quiz 20 questions/30 minutes each 10 N Individual
Report 500 words plus search 20 N Individual
Report 750 words 25 N Individual
Final Exam 2 hours 35 N Individual
Participation 10 weeks 10 N Individual

Prescribed Texts

  • Hoffman, T., Bennett, S., & Del Mar, C. (2017). Evidence-based practice across the health professions (3rd ed.). Sydney, New South Wales: Churchill Livingstone.

Teaching Periods

Term 1

Nirimba Education Precinct

Day

Subject Contact Ryan Sidoti Opens in new window

View timetable Opens in new window

Term 2

Nirimba Education Precinct

Day

Subject Contact Ryan Sidoti Opens in new window

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Structures that include subject