We know that evidence-driven research can translate to real impact for people and the services they rely on. Finding, and applying evidence to research is an essential part of our approach and we help others to do the same through our Making Sense of Evidence Programme.
Making effective, caring decisions with patients relies on an understanding of how and when to use research evidence. Our MSE programme helps participants to develop this understanding and to learn which research questions will be most applicable, to patients and health professionals. It facilitates a positive exchange in which practitioners can apply research to their practice and researchers can learn from practitioners.
The workshops are designed to be suitable for a wide range of people, from students, patients and members of the public to doctors, allied health professionals, nurses and therapists.
We offer both full-day courses and bespoke courses that can be tailored to suit your needs and availability.
During our standard Making Sense of Evidence workshop you will:
The workshops are modelled on those run at the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine in Oxford and are subsidised by us.
Watch this video: How do we make sense of evidence?
Watch this seminar with Edmund Jack and Alex Burns:
“Making Sense of Evidence Programme – Coping skills for uncertain times”
Learn about the different training sessions available.
Read our Guide to Starting a Journal Club below.
This booklet and the resources accompanying it will help anyone who is considering setting up and running a journal club.
You may decide to use this guide to set up a journal club after attending our Making Sense of Evidence (MSE) workshops and learning about how evidence based research can make real impact for people and the services that they rely upon. A successful journal club should facilitate the translation of research evidence to practice, develop critical appraisal skills and keep up to date with research.
To accompany the guide and help facilitate your journal club we have included below blank critical appraisal sheets for Randomised Controlled Trials, (RCTs) and Systematic Reviews. The appraisal sheets can be completed by members of the club to review the papers which will be discussed.
Click here to access the Journal Club guide
Click below to access a blank critical appraisal sheet for Randomised Controlled Trials (RCTS):
Click below to access a blank critical appraisal sheet for Systematic Reviews (SRs):
Click below to access a blank critical appraisal sheet for Qualitative research:
A range of MSE workshops are available to supplement your journal club: please contact us to discuss your needs. Additionally, if you have feedback about the guide or suggestions about further items for us to include as part of this resource, we are very keen to hear from you.
Email us at: penarc-events-training@exeter.ac.uk
Making Sense of Evidence training day, 7 May (The Canalside, Somerset).
During this event our expert tutors will help you to discover how to use evidence to make effective health and social care decisions.
The day will include a morning plenary: How to write a research question. This will be followed by 3 workshops for each delegate to attend:
– Critical Appraisal of a Randomised Controlled Trial (RCT)
– Critical Appraisal of a Systematic Review
– Tracking down the evidence
Lunch and refreshments will be provided on the day.
If you are interested in attending, please complete this Eventbrite form.