Evidence-Based Medicine - Syllabus
Evidence-Based Medicine - Syllabus
Completion requirements
**Course Information**
* Course Title: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
* Course Code: MED 541
* Credit Hours: 20 CME Credits
* Prerequisites: Completion of Medical School Curriculum and prior CME courses
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Jane Smith, MD
+ Contact Information: [jane.smith@medicalschool.edu](mailto:jane.smith@medicalschool.edu)
+ Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 PM
**Course Description**
This course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate evidence-based medicine into their clinical practice. Students will learn to critically evaluate the scientific literature, identify gaps in current knowledge, and develop interventions that are grounded in high-quality research. The goal of this course is to improve patient outcomes by optimizing treatment decisions through the application of evidence-based principles.
This course is targeted towards healthcare professionals who want to enhance their skills in evidence-based medicine, including primary care physicians, specialists, and researchers. By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and apply the most current evidence-based guidelines for various medical conditions, develop a plan for integrating EBM into their clinical practice, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions.
**Learning Objectives**
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the scientific literature using standardized tools (e.g., GRADE, AMSTAR)
2. Identify gaps in current knowledge and develop research questions for future studies
3. Apply evidence-based guidelines for various medical conditions
4. Develop a plan for integrating EBM into their clinical practice
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions using quantitative and qualitative methods
6. Use decision-making models (e.g., TIDIER, PROMPT) to optimize treatment decisions
7. Identify and address conflicts of interest in research studies
8. Communicate EBM findings effectively to patients and other healthcare professionals
9. Develop a plan for disseminating EBM findings to improve patient outcomes
10. Evaluate the impact of EBM on healthcare policy and practice
**Course Content Outline**
Week 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (4 hours)
* Overview of EBM principles and history
* Current challenges in EBM implementation
* Introduction to standardized tools for evaluating evidence (e.g., GRADE, AMSTAR)
+ Subtopics:
- Principles of EBM
- History of EBM
- Challenges in EBM implementation
Week 2: Critical Appraisal and Evidence Synthesis (4 hours)
* Methods for critically appraising research studies
* Introduction to evidence synthesis techniques (e.g., meta-analysis, systematic reviews)
+ Subtopics:
- Types of research studies
- Critical appraisal tools (e.g., PRISMA, CARE)
- Evidence synthesis techniques
Week 3: EBM in Clinical Practice (4 hours)
* Applying EBM guidelines for various medical conditions
* Developing a plan for integrating EBM into clinical practice
+ Subtopics:
- EBM guidelines for common medical conditions
- Strategies for implementing EBM in clinical practice
Week 4: Decision-Making Models and Conflict of Interest (4 hours)
* Introduction to decision-making models (e.g., TIDIER, PROMPT)
* Identifying and addressing conflicts of interest in research studies
+ Subtopics:
- Decision-making models
- Strategies for identifying and addressing conflicts of interest
Week 5: EBM and Communication (4 hours)
* Communicating EBM findings effectively to patients and other healthcare professionals
* Developing a plan for disseminating EBM findings to improve patient outcomes
+ Subtopics:
- Effective communication strategies
- Strategies for disseminating EBM findings
Week 6: EBM and Healthcare Policy (4 hours)
* Evaluating the impact of EBM on healthcare policy and practice
* Developing a plan for influencing healthcare policy through EBM
+ Subtopics:
- Impact of EBM on healthcare policy
- Strategies for influencing healthcare policy
Week 7-10: EBM in Specific Medical Conditions (8 hours)
* Applying EBM guidelines for various medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)
* Developing a plan for integrating EBM into clinical practice for specific conditions
+ Subtopics:
- EBM guidelines for common medical conditions
- Strategies for implementing EBM in clinical practice
Week 11-12: Final Project and Course Wrap-up (4 hours)
* Completing a final project on applying EBM principles to a real-world scenario
* Reviewing course material and preparing for the CME exam
+ Subtopics:
- Final project guidelines
- Course wrap-up and review
**Required Readings & Resources**
Textbooks:
* Guyatt G, et al. (2017). Users' guides to the medical literature: A systematic approach for reviewing research articles. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 32(1), 1-8.
* Chalmers I, et al. (2002). The TOBBE guidelines for evidence-based medicine. British Medical Journal, 324(7336), 71-76.
Journal Articles:
* Stripling E, et al. (2020). The impact of evidence-based medicine on patient outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 119, 123-133.
* Hwang I, et al. (2019). The role of critical appraisal in evidence-based medicine. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(10), 2311.
Online Resources:
* Cochrane Library
* National Institutes of Health (NIH) Evidence-Based Medicine Guide
Reference Materials:
* GRADE Working Group (2020). Grading quality of evidence and recommendations: an evidence-based approach.
* AMSTAR Consortium (2014). The AMSTAR instrument for assessing the quality of systematic reviews.
**Assessment & Grading**
Grading Breakdown:
* Exams (40%): 2 written exams, one mid-term and one final
* Assignments (30%): 3 assignments, one each in weeks 4-6
* Participation (10%): Class participation and engagement
* Final Project (20%): Completion of a final project on applying EBM principles to a real-world scenario
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: Below 60%
**Course Schedule**
Week 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (Jan 10 - Jan 14)
* Week 2: Critical Appraisal and Evidence Synthesis (Jan 17 - Jan 21)
* Week 3: EBM in Clinical Practice (Jan 24 - Jan 28)
* Week 4: Decision-Making Models and Conflict of Interest (Jan 31 - Feb 4)
* Week 5: EBM and Communication (Feb 7 - Feb 11)
Week 6-10:
* Week 6: EBM and Healthcare Policy (Feb 14 - Feb 18)
* Week 7-8: EBM in Specific Medical Conditions (Feb 21 - Mar 4)
* Week 9: Final Project Introduction (Mar 7 - Mar 11)
* Week 10: Final Project Progress (Mar 14 - Mar 18)
Week 11-12:
* Week 11: Final Project Development (Mar 21 - Mar 25)
* Week 12: Course Wrap-up and Exam Prep (Mar 28 - Apr 1)
**Course Policies**
Attendance Policy:
* Regular attendance and participation are expected.
* Excessive absences may negatively impact participation grade.
Academic Integrity:
* Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
* Any instances of academic misconduct will result in a zero on the assignment and possible disciplinary action.
Late Submission Policy:
* Late submissions will incur a penalty of 10% per day.
* No late work will be accepted after 48 hours from submission deadline.
Accommodations:
* Students with disabilities or special needs should contact Dr. Smith by the end of week 2 to discuss accommodations.
Note: This syllabus is for demonstration purposes only and may need to be modified to fit specific course requirements and institutional policies.
* Course Title: Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
* Course Code: MED 541
* Credit Hours: 20 CME Credits
* Prerequisites: Completion of Medical School Curriculum and prior CME courses
* Instructor Information:
+ Name: Dr. Jane Smith, MD
+ Contact Information: [jane.smith@medicalschool.edu](mailto:jane.smith@medicalschool.edu)
+ Office Hours: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 2-4 PM
**Course Description**
This course is designed to provide healthcare professionals with the knowledge and skills necessary to incorporate evidence-based medicine into their clinical practice. Students will learn to critically evaluate the scientific literature, identify gaps in current knowledge, and develop interventions that are grounded in high-quality research. The goal of this course is to improve patient outcomes by optimizing treatment decisions through the application of evidence-based principles.
This course is targeted towards healthcare professionals who want to enhance their skills in evidence-based medicine, including primary care physicians, specialists, and researchers. By the end of this course, students will be able to identify and apply the most current evidence-based guidelines for various medical conditions, develop a plan for integrating EBM into their clinical practice, and evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions.
**Learning Objectives**
Upon completion of this course, students will be able to:
1. Critically evaluate the scientific literature using standardized tools (e.g., GRADE, AMSTAR)
2. Identify gaps in current knowledge and develop research questions for future studies
3. Apply evidence-based guidelines for various medical conditions
4. Develop a plan for integrating EBM into their clinical practice
5. Evaluate the effectiveness of treatment interventions using quantitative and qualitative methods
6. Use decision-making models (e.g., TIDIER, PROMPT) to optimize treatment decisions
7. Identify and address conflicts of interest in research studies
8. Communicate EBM findings effectively to patients and other healthcare professionals
9. Develop a plan for disseminating EBM findings to improve patient outcomes
10. Evaluate the impact of EBM on healthcare policy and practice
**Course Content Outline**
Week 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (4 hours)
* Overview of EBM principles and history
* Current challenges in EBM implementation
* Introduction to standardized tools for evaluating evidence (e.g., GRADE, AMSTAR)
+ Subtopics:
- Principles of EBM
- History of EBM
- Challenges in EBM implementation
Week 2: Critical Appraisal and Evidence Synthesis (4 hours)
* Methods for critically appraising research studies
* Introduction to evidence synthesis techniques (e.g., meta-analysis, systematic reviews)
+ Subtopics:
- Types of research studies
- Critical appraisal tools (e.g., PRISMA, CARE)
- Evidence synthesis techniques
Week 3: EBM in Clinical Practice (4 hours)
* Applying EBM guidelines for various medical conditions
* Developing a plan for integrating EBM into clinical practice
+ Subtopics:
- EBM guidelines for common medical conditions
- Strategies for implementing EBM in clinical practice
Week 4: Decision-Making Models and Conflict of Interest (4 hours)
* Introduction to decision-making models (e.g., TIDIER, PROMPT)
* Identifying and addressing conflicts of interest in research studies
+ Subtopics:
- Decision-making models
- Strategies for identifying and addressing conflicts of interest
Week 5: EBM and Communication (4 hours)
* Communicating EBM findings effectively to patients and other healthcare professionals
* Developing a plan for disseminating EBM findings to improve patient outcomes
+ Subtopics:
- Effective communication strategies
- Strategies for disseminating EBM findings
Week 6: EBM and Healthcare Policy (4 hours)
* Evaluating the impact of EBM on healthcare policy and practice
* Developing a plan for influencing healthcare policy through EBM
+ Subtopics:
- Impact of EBM on healthcare policy
- Strategies for influencing healthcare policy
Week 7-10: EBM in Specific Medical Conditions (8 hours)
* Applying EBM guidelines for various medical conditions (e.g., hypertension, diabetes)
* Developing a plan for integrating EBM into clinical practice for specific conditions
+ Subtopics:
- EBM guidelines for common medical conditions
- Strategies for implementing EBM in clinical practice
Week 11-12: Final Project and Course Wrap-up (4 hours)
* Completing a final project on applying EBM principles to a real-world scenario
* Reviewing course material and preparing for the CME exam
+ Subtopics:
- Final project guidelines
- Course wrap-up and review
**Required Readings & Resources**
Textbooks:
* Guyatt G, et al. (2017). Users' guides to the medical literature: A systematic approach for reviewing research articles. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 32(1), 1-8.
* Chalmers I, et al. (2002). The TOBBE guidelines for evidence-based medicine. British Medical Journal, 324(7336), 71-76.
Journal Articles:
* Stripling E, et al. (2020). The impact of evidence-based medicine on patient outcomes: A systematic review. Journal of Clinical Epidemiology, 119, 123-133.
* Hwang I, et al. (2019). The role of critical appraisal in evidence-based medicine. Journal of Medical Systems, 43(10), 2311.
Online Resources:
* Cochrane Library
* National Institutes of Health (NIH) Evidence-Based Medicine Guide
Reference Materials:
* GRADE Working Group (2020). Grading quality of evidence and recommendations: an evidence-based approach.
* AMSTAR Consortium (2014). The AMSTAR instrument for assessing the quality of systematic reviews.
**Assessment & Grading**
Grading Breakdown:
* Exams (40%): 2 written exams, one mid-term and one final
* Assignments (30%): 3 assignments, one each in weeks 4-6
* Participation (10%): Class participation and engagement
* Final Project (20%): Completion of a final project on applying EBM principles to a real-world scenario
Grading Scale:
A: 90-100%
B: 80-89%
C: 70-79%
D: 60-69%
F: Below 60%
**Course Schedule**
Week 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Medicine (Jan 10 - Jan 14)
* Week 2: Critical Appraisal and Evidence Synthesis (Jan 17 - Jan 21)
* Week 3: EBM in Clinical Practice (Jan 24 - Jan 28)
* Week 4: Decision-Making Models and Conflict of Interest (Jan 31 - Feb 4)
* Week 5: EBM and Communication (Feb 7 - Feb 11)
Week 6-10:
* Week 6: EBM and Healthcare Policy (Feb 14 - Feb 18)
* Week 7-8: EBM in Specific Medical Conditions (Feb 21 - Mar 4)
* Week 9: Final Project Introduction (Mar 7 - Mar 11)
* Week 10: Final Project Progress (Mar 14 - Mar 18)
Week 11-12:
* Week 11: Final Project Development (Mar 21 - Mar 25)
* Week 12: Course Wrap-up and Exam Prep (Mar 28 - Apr 1)
**Course Policies**
Attendance Policy:
* Regular attendance and participation are expected.
* Excessive absences may negatively impact participation grade.
Academic Integrity:
* Plagiarism or academic dishonesty will not be tolerated.
* Any instances of academic misconduct will result in a zero on the assignment and possible disciplinary action.
Late Submission Policy:
* Late submissions will incur a penalty of 10% per day.
* No late work will be accepted after 48 hours from submission deadline.
Accommodations:
* Students with disabilities or special needs should contact Dr. Smith by the end of week 2 to discuss accommodations.
Note: This syllabus is for demonstration purposes only and may need to be modified to fit specific course requirements and institutional policies.
Last modified: Sunday, 9 November 2025, 5:46 PM