Source use in clinical practice

Module: Source use in clinical practice

In this module, we delve deep into the art and science of using sources in clinical practice. The goal is to give you, as a prospective therapist, a solid understanding of how to use research in a critical and effective way to improve the quality of your care. The module is designed to make you a conscious and critical thinker when it comes to distinguishing between good and less good research articles, so that you are better equipped to make informed decisions when dealing with your patients.

Learning objectives:

Critical assessment of research articles:

• Learn to distinguish between high-quality and low-quality articles by assessing study design, methodology, and results. Become familiar with concepts such as “bias,” “confounders,” and “reliability,” all of which affect a study’s credibility.

Understanding of research methodology:

• Gain a deeper understanding of different types of research designs, including randomized controlled trials (RCTs), cohort studies, case-control studies, and systematic reviews. This will give you the ability to understand which research methods are most relevant to clinical practice.

Hierarchy of evidence and relevance:

• Learn how to place studies within the evidence hierarchy to understand how much confidence you can have in the results. Also gain insight into how to assess clinical relevance by analyzing the study population, interventions, and outcome measures.

Use of evidence-based practice (EBP):

• Explore how to integrate the best available research with clinical expertise and patient preferences. Become confident in applying evidence-based treatment strategies that are relevant to your practice.

Identification of useful and less useful information:

• Understand how to filter out information that is irrelevant, inaccurate, or not supported by solid research, to ensure that only the most relevant findings are included in clinical practice.

Literature search and source management:

Effective strategies for searching for relevant literature in various databases, and organizing references using reference management tools.

Critical analysis of research articles:

• Learn how to systematically assess research articles for methodological quality and clinical significance.

Evidence-based assessment of treatments:

• Discussion and analysis of various forms of treatment within musculoskeletal treatment, sports medicine and rehabilitation, based on research articles.

Implementation of knowledge in clinical practice:

• Learn how to develop an evidence-based treatment plan by combining research with clinical experience and the patient’s unique needs.

Deep understanding of the importance of research:

• The module will give you a clear understanding of how research can improve your quality of care, and why it is important to be critical of which studies you choose to implement.

Practical approach:

• With a strong focus on practical application, you will learn to translate research findings into concrete treatment strategies that produce measurable results.

A competent clinician:

By becoming confident in distinguishing between useful and less useful information, you will become a competent and effective clinician who always has the patient’s best interests in mind.

Welcome to a module that will equip you with the tools you need to navigate the complex landscape of clinical research, and elevate your clinical practice to the next level.