The Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)elective is an online learning course comprised of synchronous sessions that include lectures, discussion, activities and exercises. The first session is a review of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and a hands-on literature search session presented by the librarians in which students will be led through a series of databases and tools to accelerate their proficiency in locating resources. The second session will highlight research databases and students will locate at least one evidence-based article which answers a clinical or research question, provided by the instructors, or of the individual student’s choice. Students will also formulate a clinical or research question using the PICO format and e-mail it to the librarians via the library email (library@chsu.edu).
Following this session, students will critically appraise their article using a critical appraisal worksheet. This is a submission requirement that must be completed according to the timeline within this syllabus. However, students are expected to turn in their EBM documentation that includes their PICO question worksheet with search strategies, critical appraisal worksheet, and a copy of the article (or abstract). The goal of this elective is for students to become familiarized with EBM and its practices to develop a holistic understanding of how the existing medical literature can be integrated into medical practice.