PTY-40092 - Module Specification
School of Allied Health Professions and Pharmacy
Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences

Programme/Approved Electives for 2026/27

Available as a Free Standing Elective

Co-requisites

None

Prerequisites

None

Barred Combinations

None

Description for 2026/27

This module forms part of the MSc Prosthetics and Orthotics programme at Keele which is an innovative programme of study which prepares the graduate for diverse practice settings.
This robust module is designed to equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to practice as a highly desirable evidence-based practitioner.
Module Highlights:
- Research Study Designs: Learn to recognize appropriate study designs for various practice aspects.
- Evidence-Based Practice: Understand how to use research and evidence in practice, including creating clinical questions (PICO), clinical guidelines, journal clubs, and Critically Appraised Topics (CATs).
- Health Apps Evaluation: Explore the identification and evaluation of trusted health apps (ORCHA).
- Trusted Information: Identify reliable electronic healthcare information.
- Governance Frameworks: Introduce governance frameworks for digital health interventions.
- CAT Production: Understand the stages involved in producing a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT).
- Search Strategies: Formulate effective search strategies across various databases.
- Critical Appraisal Skills: Develop skills using critical appraisal tools for qualitative and quantitative studies, effectiveness studies, diagnostics studies, systematic reviews, and clinical guidelines.
- Evaluation Methods: Debate and evaluate different methods of practice evaluation, including service evaluations and audits.
- Assessment Preparation: Get ready for assessments with ample preparation opportunities.
- Formative Assessment: Benefit from opportunities for formative assessment.
Blended Learning Approach
Our teaching is delivered through a blend of in-situ and online (asynchronous and synchronous) learning strategies, ensuring comprehensive knowledge and understanding of key principles. Teaching strategies are inclusive to cater for individual needs, creating a student-focused learning environment.

This module aims to: introduce the student to the strategies adopted to gather, critique and implement research and other forms of evidence into practice; introduce the student to methods used to evaluate current practice; develop the students understanding of the attributes desired in an effective team member and receive feedback on their own team working performance.

Intended Learning Outcomes

Critically compare knowledge and understanding 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
Demonstrate and evaluate the attributes of an effective team member: 2

Study hours

Active learning hours, typically include:
Lectures (live in situ or synchronous online) ~ 10 hours
Tutorials/seminars ~ 15 hours
Supervised Directed study ~ 15 hours

Independent study, typically include:
preparation for tutorials/seminars ~ 30 hours
prep and writing for Assessment ~ 20 hours
additional reading ~ 60 hours

School Rules

None

Description of Module Assessment