Demystifying research and evidence-based practice for consumers and carers: development and evaluation of an educational package

Increasing Research Familiarity Among Members of a Clubhouse for People With Mental Illness

This study describes a project that aimed to train people with mental illness in introductory research skills to support the development of a Clubhouse. Eight mental health consumers from the Illawarra region in New South Wales, Australia were recruited to participate in the project. The group met weekly over a 10-week period to participate in training sessions. The training program focused on increasing familiarity and confidence with research related activities considered useful for Clubhouse members. Measures related to Familiarity with the Clubhouse model, Clubhouse Role Confidence, Research Self Efficacy, and Familiarity with Research Terminology were completed by six of eight participants before and after training. There were significant improvements in consumer's familiarity with components of the Clubhouse and research terminology. There was also increased confidence in performing roles relevant to research activities in Clubhouse settings but no significant improvements in Research Self efficacy related to more general research skills. There is a need for future research to confirm the findings in larger trials with a control condition.

How far did we get? How far to go? A European survey on postgraduate courses in evidence-based medicine

BACKGROUND

Over the past decade, evidence-based medicine (EBM) has gained recognition as a means to improve the quality of health care provision. However, little is known about learning opportunities to acquire EBM-associated skills. The EUebm-Unity partnership explored current educational activities for EBM practice for doctors across Europe.

METHODS

We surveyed organizations offering postgraduate EBM courses across Europe inquiring about their course programme, teaching content and strategies, and interest in a Europe-wide curriculum in EBM.

RESULTS

One hundred and fifty-six organizers in eight European countries reported 403 courses that had started first-time from 1996 to 2006. Despite a steady increase, in absolute terms, the frequency of courses was low and varied from 1 first-time offering of a course per 640 doctors (Spain) to 1 first-time offering per 5600 doctors (Austria) over 10 years. Most adopted the McMaster EBM teaching concept of small group, problem-based learning focussing on interventions, diagnostic tests and guidelines, and included efforts to link EBM to patient care. Teaching staff consisted of doctors from academic and non-academic settings, supported by methodologists. Efforts to formally integrate EBM in postgraduate activities were only partially successful. Most organizations welcomed a standardized European qualification in EBM. A limitation of the survey is the lack of follow-up information about the continuation of courses following the first-time offering.

CONCLUSIONS

All countries offer some EBM courses with varying teaching intensity. Learning opportunities are insufficient to ensure widespread dissemination of knowledge and skills. Most countries welcome more efforts to develop inexpensive and feasible educational activities at a postgraduate level.