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PTY-40068 - Module Specification
School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

For academic year: 2026/27 Last Updated: 27 September 2026

PTY-40068 - Evaluating Healthcare and Evidence Based Practice
Coordinator: Claire Stapleton Room: MAC1.15 Tel: +44 1782 7 33808
Lecture Time:
Level: Level 7
Credits: 15
Study Hours: 150
School Office:

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

None

Available as a Free Standing Elective

No

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

Evaluating Healthcare and Evidence Based Practice is a dynamic module within Keele University’s MSc Physiotherapy programme, designed to shape future healthcare professionals into confident, evidence-based practitioners. Through a blend of interactive learning and real-world application, you will explore how to critically appraise research, evaluate healthcare practices, and implement evidence into clinical decision-making. You'll gain hands-on experience developing Critically Appraised Topics (CATs), mastering search strategies, and using appraisal tools for both qualitative and quantitative studies. This module equips you with the tools to navigate and influence modern healthcare environments. Whether you're passionate about improving patient outcomes or driving innovation in clinical practice, this module offers the essential skills and insights to thrive in today’s evolving healthcare landscape.

Aims
This module aims to: introduce the student to the strategies adopted to gather, critique and implement research and other forms of evidence into practice and, introduce the student to methods used to evaluate current practice.

Talis Aspire Reading List
Any reading lists will be provided by the start of the course.
http://lists.lib.keele.ac.uk/modules/pty-40068/lists

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically demonstrate knowledge of the methods used to evaluate practice in healthcare : 1
Select, justify and critically evaluate research designs adopted to address questions related to healthcare delivery: 1
Critically evaluate the quality, and identify confounding factors, in different forms of health related evidence: 1
Critically evaluate the efficacy of the translation of knowledge and implementation of evidence into healthcare practice : 1
Design effective search strategies to identify best evidence using health related databases: 1

Study hours

Active learning hours, typically include:
Lectures (live in situ or synchronous online) ~ 10 hours
Tutorials/seminars ~ 15 hours
Independent study, typically include:
Weekly directed study ~ 15 hours
Preparation for tutorials/seminars ~ 30 hours
Preparation and writing for Assessment ~ 20 hours
Additional reading ~ 60 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment

1: Presentation weighted 100%
Oral poster presentation with questions on a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT)
A poster representing a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) related to a clinical or applied question in healthcare. Students will present their poster via a 15-minute individual presentation followed by an additional 15 minutes of questions related to their CAT, exploration of the students' knowledge related to research design/critical appraisal, and other approaches used to evaluate practice and implement evidence into practice (including barriers). The assessment will incorporate knowledge of, and justification for stages of a CAT - including the search strategy, selection of best evidence, critical appraisal of the evidence and formulation of a clinical bottom line (i.e. the answer to the clinical question). The CAT poster and the presentation will be marked as a whole. The poster will be submitted on the day of the assessment.

The University undertakes a continuous review of its teaching and research provision to ensure programmes are of a high quality and changes may be made to modules where it is necessary and reasonable to do so. Please be aware that minor changes to modules, such as a change to an individual assessment, can occur up until enrolment, although we endeavour to give you as much notice as possible of any changes. Details about the circumstance in which changes are made to programmes can be found in the Student Agreement, available at: https://www.keele.ac.uk/legalgovernancecompliance/governance/actcharterstatutesordinancesandregulations/studenttermsconditions/

Last Updated: 27 September 2026