Unit 4: Fundamentals of Evidence-based Practice

Unit code	J/616/1639
Unit type	Core (Pearson-Set Project)
Unit level	4
Credit value	15

Introduction

Evidence-based practice in health and social care involves taking a systematic approach to examining a range of evidence in order to answer key questions of relevance to the sector. The basis of evidence-based practice is research. In health and social care, research is conducted for a number of reasons for example, to find prevalence or incidence of disease, to assess quality of life or patient satisfaction. Research has global relevance and plays a significant role in influencing the development of high-quality provision, supporting a high-functioning integrated workforce and promoting the health and wellbeing of those who use health, care services.

Working in health and social care provides unique opportunities for practitioners to make a difference, developing the skills and knowledge to conduct research is fundamental in order to support quality practice, influence positive change and promote a highly-skilled workforce.

The aim of this unit is to develop students’ knowledge and skills to understand the purpose and process of research in health and social care particularly in relation to promoting integrated approaches to care. Students will carry out a literature review on a topic drawn from the Practice Themes aimed at quality improvement within wider health, care or support service practice. Students will learn how to source current literature and assess the reliability and validity of sources to be able to construct an argument that leads to a proposal for a potential research study.

Throughout this process, students will learn how they can dynamically influence changes and improvements within the health and social care sector. The unit will develop students’ skills in understanding the steps they need to take to complete a literature review, academic conventions for presenting literature and how it forms the rationale for a personal research project.

On completion of this unit, students will have developed the pre-requisite skills needed to design a proposal that either extends from their literature review or highlights a further potential area of research. Possessing the necessary skills for conducting quality personal research that leads to evidence-based practice, will enhance students’ academic skills, professionalism and employment opportunities within the health and social care sectors

*Please refer to the accompanying Pearson-set Assignment Guide and the Theme Release document for further support and guidance on the delivery of the Pearson- set units

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this unit students will be able to:

1      Explain the role of research for evidence-based practice in health and social care

2      Conduct a review of key literature relating to a research topic towards improvements in care practice

3      Develop a project proposal using evidence-based practice

4      Examine the value of the literature review process in influencing positive change in health, care or support service provision

Unit 4: Fundamentals of Evidence-based Practice

Essential content

LO1 Explain the role of research for evidence-based practice in health and social care

The principle, purposes and value for conducting research in health and social care practice:

How research develops, improves or identifies gaps in practice and/or provision

Value of research in developing cost-effective interventions and promoting health and wellbeing of individuals

Individuals and organisations involved in conducting research into health and social care practice

How research can develop or extend knowledge and understanding How research can improve own and others’ professional development

The ways that research can inform other services to foster an integrated professional workforce

The types and areas of research undertaken in health and social care

The research process

Understanding the recursive and evolving nature of the research process Understanding the steps taken when carrying out personal research Selecting a personal research topic

Developing research aims and objectives, e.g. research questions and hypotheses

Conducting a literature review

Selecting methodology for data collection Selecting sample for study

Ethical considerations: health and social care ethics - beneficence, non- maleficence, autonomy and justice

Collecting primary data Conducting data analysis

Drawing conclusions and organising research

The professional and personal skills required in order to conduct a literature review

LO2 Conduct a review of key literature relating to a research topic towards improvements in care practice

The literature review process:

The purpose of a literature review

Providing up-to-date information of research in the area Identifying methods that can be used in any further research

Provides an understanding of similar findings, inconsistencies, areas not previously identified, possible further research ideas for evidence-based practice

 

Identifying topic for research in health, care or support service provision using the Practice Themes as a framework

Preliminary searches to determine feasibility of conducting an evidence-based project in chosen area

Conducting a literature review using internet, books, journals, reports, web sites and other sources

Primary and secondary sources

Methods used for searching internet, e.g. use of Boolean searches, key words, terms

Reading techniques used to assess appropriateness of literature, e.g., scanning, skimming

Assessing the validity and reliability of sources using tools e.g., source, appearance, method, timeliness, applicability, balance (SAMTAB) methods

Making notes and evaluating sources of information for reliability and validity

Examining results of literature search and critically evaluating to provide a summary of current knowledge about the research topic

Presenting literature reviews using academic writing and use of Harvard referencing system

LO3 Develop a project proposal using evidence-based practice

Identifying principle methods to conduct research using evidence-based practice

Purpose of evidence-based practice: to use all current and available evidence, theoretical and practical, to provide robust answers to critical issues in health, care or support services

Ability of evidence-based practice to gain access to new ideas and thinking, find solutions, opportunities to develop practice, service provision, positive outcomes, integrated workforce

Primary research methods used for an evidence-based practice approach, e.g. questionnaires, interviews, observations

Elements of the process of developing the project proposal

Identifying suitable title and research questions using one of the Practice Themes

Considering potential impact of research, using evidence-based-practice Identifying potential participants or sample

Ethical considerations

Developing a timeline for research

Presenting potential evidence-based practice study to an audience

LO4 Examine the value of the literature review process in influencing positive change in health and social care practice

Impact of literature review on influencing innovation and improvement in health and social care

Effectiveness of literature review in identifying current research and thinking in areas of evidence-based health, care or support service practice and provision

How literature review can help to define research questions and methodologies

How literature review can be applied to different Practice Themes and prompt further research

How potential evidence-based practice research study may influence practice or provision in health, care or support services, e.g. quality of delivery

How potential evidence-based practice research study may impact on own future practice in contributing to effective service provision, to seek and influence change proactively within the health and social care sector

How findings from any research study can be used to encourage integrated care model, promote knowledge exchange and multidisciplinary working

 

Evaluate own contribution to research process

Evaluating own role in conducting a literature review

Recognising own contribution to research process and development of own skills and knowledge in terms of an evidence-based approach to practice

How evidence-based practice could affect own future career progression

How potential research study can support leadership and development of others to engage in evidence-based practice

Setting targets for developing own personal and professional development in terms of evidence-based practice

Identifying ways to develop personal and professional practice to be able to conceive innovation and improvement in evidence-based health, care or support service practice