These extra CPD activities are designed to be read in conjunction with our article CPD: gathering and interrogating evidence, by Jo Rhodes and Professor Anne Harriss, which is the first of a two-part series looking at evidence-based practice within occupational health.
Within it, Rhodes and Professor Harriss outline how, in our current internet age, being able to find, sift and critically evaluate evidence is not as straightforward as it used to be but how, for the same reason, being able effectively to interrogate evidence is more important than ever.
In this first article, they highlight some of the processes you can use and which underpin effective literature-searching skills. These activities and resources are therefore designed to complement and feed in to that.
CPD activity 1 – understand the principles
If you feel it would be helpful to update your knowledge and understanding of the principles of research in nursing before accessing the subsequent resources this is a useful introductory text:
Jolley J (2020). “Introducing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals” (third edition) London: Routledge.
CPD activity 2 – understand media influence
Access this resource to gain an appreciation regarding how the media can influence policy. Dean M (2013). “Under Attack. How the media distorts policy and politics”. Bristol: The Policy Press.
CPD activity 3 – understand Cochrane and the National Institute for Health Research
These resources will give you a greater understanding of Cochrane and the National Institute for Health Research
Cochrane UK: a global independent network of researchers, professionals interested in health producing credible, accessible health information free from commercial sponsorship and other conflicts of interest. Available at: https://www.evidentlycochrane.net/
The National Institute for Health Research: The NIHR Dissemination Centre identifies and summarises the most reliable, relevant and significant health research findings. Available at: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/collaborating-in-applied-health-research.htm
CPD activity 4 – understand research sources
These resources provide more information regarding research sources including NICE, the Joana Briggs Institute that undertakes systematic reviews and offers a range of evidence- based practice tools and resources
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). NICE evaluates the technical quality of research findings and appraises the potential application. Available at: https://www.nice.org.uk/
The Joanna Briggs Institute. This is an Australian research and development organisation. Available at: https://jbi.global/
Research Portfolio. This is a collection of research studies that demonstrate the impact and contribution that nursing, can make to transforming health and care. The research studies incorporated within the portfolio provide a cross sectional overview of studies that demonstrate practice and research leadership. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/nursingmidwifery/research-andevidence/research-portfolio/
Academic Health Science Networks (NHS England). There are 15 academic health science networks (AHSNs) across England, established by NHS England in 2013 to spread innovation. Available at: https://www.england.nhs.uk/ourwork/part-rel/ahsn/
NIHR Academic Research Collaborations (ARCs). This scheme aims to improve care outcomes thus improving the quality, delivery and efficiency of health and care. The funding supports, facilitates and increases the rate at which research findings are implemented into practice. Further information available at: https://www.nihr.ac.uk/explore-nihr/support/collaborating-in-applied-health-research.htm
CPD activity 5 – use video resources
This video provides a general overview of evidence based medicine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z_yiUf3f92s
These two videos explain how to undertake a literature search
How to Do a Literature Search Part 1: Search Keywords | Searching for a Literature Review:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lm72cPlM-kU
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNNXJIwXPVk
This film, presented by a physiotherapist, gives an overview of Understanding “Levels of Evidence”
What are Levels of Evidence? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5H8w68sr0u8
In this film, Professor Trish Greenhalgh (professor of primary health care) and Professor Neal Maskrey (professor of evidence-informed decision making at Keele University) provide an overview of Evidence based Medicine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k0ijU5liEBE
These films gives an introduction to systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and includes reference to PICO questions
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7zTDwhukdc
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WB9pbHqUs5c
CPD activity 6 – access this TED talk
Dr Ben Goldacre, senior clinical research fellow at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, part of the University of Oxford’s Nuffield Department of Primary Care Health, presents this TED talk:
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Ben Goldacre: Battling Bad Science: https://www.ted.com/talks/ben_goldacre_battling_bad_science?language=en
CPD activity 7 – further reading
Aveyard H and Sharp P (2013). “A Beginner’s Guide to Evidence-Based Practice in Health and Social Care”. Maidenhead: McGraw-Hill Education.
Price A (2013). “What is a Cochrane Review? The International Network for Knowledge about Wellbeing.” Available at: http://www.ithinkwell.org/what-is-a-cochrane-review/
Rosenfeld R M and Shiffman R N (2009). “Clinical practice guideline development manual: A quality-driven approach for translating evidence into action.” Available at:
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2851142/
Shekelle P (2018). “Overview of clinical practice guidelines”. Available at: https://www.uptodate.com/contents/overview-of-clinical-practice-guidelines
Turner T, Misso M, Harris C and Green S (2008). “Development of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs): comparing approaches”. Implementation Science 3: pp.45- Available at: https://implementationscience.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/1748-5908-1-9
Vemooij R, Sanabria, A, Solà, I, Alonso-Coello P and Martínez L (2014). “Guidance for updating clinical practice guidelines: a systematic review of methodological handbooks”. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3904688/
Yip S, Namah D, Cook R and Isles C (2018). “It must be true… I read it in the tabloids”, Journal of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh, 4 (3) pp.251-256.
Thomas L (1999). “Clinical practice guidelines”. Available at: https://ebn.bmj.com/content/2/2/38
