B8413 - Information Literacy and Evidence-Based Medicine

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course, the student gains a solid knowledge of the importance and principles of evidence based (veterinary) medicine and its application in the veterinary domain. In particular, the student: understands the principles of the scientific approach and research methods; acquires knowledge and understanding of the basic concepts of evidence-based medicine; is able to distinguish between different levels of evidence; understands the importance of critical appraisal of scientific literature.

Course contents

This Course is part of the Integrated Course "Transversal Skills".

The Integrated Course aims to provide the student with fundamental competences in digital literacy, evidence-based approach, and personal and professional well-being.

The Integrated Course "Transversal Skills" contributes to the achievement of the following ESEVT Day One Competences: 1.1, 1.2, 1.4, 1.5, 1.6, 1.8, 1.9, 1.10, 1.11, 1.12, 1.13, 1.14, 1.15.

Specific Course contents:

This course aims to introduce to all students the principles and methods to gather and critically evaluate research information, effectively incorporate the selected information into their knowledge base and apply the knowledge in veterinary medicine.

Main content of the course:

• Definition of information literacy (IL)
• Definition of Evidence based Medicine (EBM)
• Definition of Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine (EBVM)
• Importance of EBVM
• Evidence Based (Veterinary) Medicine Pyramid
• The main principles of EBVM
• The main steps of EBVM
• The concept of information overload: how to deal with it
• Evidence synthesis
• The literature reviews family
• Methods for literature review
• The PICO and other principles

Readings/Bibliography

Slides of the lectures and relevant scientific articles and reviews from international literature are available on Virtual Learning Enviroment of Unibo https://virtuale.unibo.it/

Relevant books and articles:

• Greenhalgh, Trisha. How to read a paper: the basics of evidence-based medicine and healthcare / Trisha Greenhalgh.Imprint, Hoboken, NJ : John Wiley & Sons Ltd, 2019. Edition, Sixth edition.
• Straus SE, Richardson WS, Glasziou P, Haynes RB (2005). Evidence-based Medicine: How to Practice and Teach EBM, 3rd ed. Churchill Livingstone
• Muellenbach JM, Houk KM, E Thimons D, Rodriguez B. Integrating Information Literacy and Evidence-Based Medicine Content within a New School of Medicine Curriculum: Process and Outcome. Med Ref Serv Q. 2018 Apr-Jun;37(2):198-206. doi: 10.1080/02763869.2018.1439225. PMID: 29558330.
• Medicine: Information Literacy, Critical Thinking, Evidence-based Medicine and Research Methodology. https://libguides.nus.edu.sg/c.php?g=145507&p=95612

Additional sources:

• Oxford Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) https://www.cebm.ox.ac.uk/
• Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine. https://www.nottingham.ac.uk/cevm/index.aspx
• EBVM Learning, Royal Veterinary College. https://learn.rcvsknowledge.org/course/view.php?id=2

Teaching methods

The course is composed of academic (frontal) lectures (6 hours) and of seminar/practical sessions (2 hours)

• academic (frontal): frontal lectures carried out by slides show and other media (videos, tutorials); Q/A sessions
• seminar/practical: practical lectures carried out by groups of students (problem solving approach).Students will be asked to formulate a relevant question (related to veterinary medicine) and outline the necessary steps to generate evidence from the literature.

Assessment methods

The final exam of the integrated course "Transversal skills" is a written test comprising a total of 30 multiple choice and short-answer questions, covering topics from all components of the course, and is designed to assess the student's knowledge on the different subject covered by the course components.

Each correct question will earn 1 point; no points will be subtracted in case of wrong answer or unanswered question. The use of supporting material or devices such as calculators, books, notebooks, class notes, etc. is not authorized during the test. If needed, a follow-up discussion will allow the Candidate to comment on the wrong answers.

The test assignment will last 1h and will be considered as successful with a minimum grade of 18/30.

The integrated course is passed, without assigning a numerical grade, when the student correctly answers at least 18 out of 30 questions.

Students can register for the exam through the online AlmaEsami platform (http://almaesami.unibo.it/ ). In case of failure, the exam may be retaken after a minimum of three weeks. In accordance with Unibo teaching regulations, Article 16, Paragraph 5, students are entitled to refuse a passing grade on one occasion.

In compliance with Law 104/1992 and Law 170/2010, and in alignment with institutional inclusion policies, students with certified disabilities or specific learning disorders—as well as those with recognized special educational needs—will receive appropriate accommodations during assessments. Such students should promptly contact the course instructor and inform the University’s Disability and SLD Support Service [https://site.unibo.it/studenti-con-disabilita-e-dsa/en] . A faculty member is appointed to oversee this service within the Department [https://scienzemedicheveterinarie.unibo.it/it/dipartimento/organizzazione/referenti-istituzionali] .

Teaching tools

The theoretical lectures take place in a teaching room properly supplied with multimedia equipment: slide projector for theoretical lessons, computers. Students can use smartphone for interactive sessions. Web survey tools (i.e. Mentimeter) will be used to facilitate interaction with students and stimulate discussions.

During lectures, game-based learning platform (i.e. Kahoot) is used to encourage active learning by multiple choice questions to the audience.

Scientific publications in specialized journals and specialized web sites will be used for interactive discussions.

Teaching materials are available on the Virtuale platform and could be reached through the link on the teacher webpage.

Office hours

See the website of Marco De Nardi