01. Implement the principles and processes of evidence based practice in a clinical setting. You should be able to: (a explain the relevance and the importance of evidence-based practice; (b) describe the principles of evidence-based practice; (c) implement the processes of evidence-based practice, in terms of a five-step approach; (d) describe potential risks, benefits, and costs involved in maintaining or changing practice; (e) discuss the evidence, in oral and written communications, in a clear and concise manner, with appropriate acknowledgement and citation of sources.

Activities:

Individually completed search strategy/plan. Individually completed written assignment and script of presentation of information for client.

02. Turn specific clinical issues into an answerable practice-related question and acquire relevant evidence to answer the practice-related question. You should be able to: (a) develop a practice-related question using a structured approach, eg. the 'PICO' mnemonic; (b) appraise the question for its appropriateness to address the practice-related problem, issue or situation that is being considered; (c) refine the question so that it best addresses the practice-related problem or issue or situation that is being considered; (d) develop a search strategy that is relevant to the practice-related question.

Activities:

Individually completed search strategy/plan and individually completed written assignment.

03. Evaluate the benefits and harms of existing speech pathology programs for specified patients/clients. You should be able to: (a) critically evaluate the literature pertaining to the clinical program/s; (b) use criteria to evaluate the methodological quality of research studies, identify possible sources of bias and evaluate the likely impact of any bias on the study results and conclusions, and decide if a study or studies is/are of sufficient quality to be applied to practice; (c) assess the applicability of the evidence obtained to the client/patient issue in question; (d) identify any environmental, political, economic and/or social factors (including any ethical issues) that may be relevant to the application (or not) of the evidence to practice.

Activities:

Individually completed written assignment and script of presentation of information for client.

04. Make sound decisions about clinical practice, based on the critically appraised evidence, taking into account the perspectives of a client/patient and context. You should be able to: (a) use the principles of evidence-based practice to analyse available therapeutic approaches; (b) use evidence-based practice to synthesise pertinent papers and literature and relate these to a specific client/clinical context; (c) plan suitable evidence-based intervention for a client, having taken into account their wishes, preference and context.

Activities:

Individually completed written assignment and script of presentation of information for client.