This is a Paramedic Science paper, with the objective to critically appraise an original piece of research relevant to paramedic practice.

Learning Outcomes:

Module Learning Outcomes (LO)

1. Demonstrate the ability to systematically search the evidence base

2. Critically appraise research using an appropriate critical appraisal framework

3. Explore an aspect of clinical practice using the evidence base

4. Discuss implementation of research into practice

Please write in the third person throughout. Extensive use of th evidence base is required to support writing/discussion. In-line referencing will count towards word count.

Please use the below structure

Introduction

• What am I doing – talk about doing a lit critique and why they are useful

• Why am I doing it – links to HCPC, CPD and EBP

• How am I doing it – which framework you are using and why they are useful also can mention the paper you are using at this point too

Search Process

• Where did I look – CINAHL, MEDLINE, etc, with supporting evidence

• How did I search? What tools did I use within the database?

• What did I find?

• How did I decide which paper(s) to review? (inclusion/exclusion criteria) with supporting evidence

• This section should detail your search so that others could follow it and find your paper. You must justify your search, or say what you could have done (if your search was not ideal)

• You must identify the paper you are using at this point

Your search should be comprehensive enough that someone else can find the paper you did in the same way

The search should also be fully justified and supported with references

Main Body

• Use a recognised critiquing framework (e.g. Bellini & Rumrill, or Holland & Rees)

• Divide your main body using the subheadings in the framework you are using

• This section discussed the research process your papers authors have used – it does not discuss the subject matter of the paper

Implications for clinical practice

• Is the paper good enough from a research perspective to use – this is the whole point in undertaking the critique – so you should comment on this

• Can you use a single piece of research to inform your practice? Why not? Support with references

• What do other pieces of research say about this topic? Do they support your papers conclusions?

• Overall should practice be changed based upon your research in this topic

o Your conclusion should be one of the following be:

-Yes practice should be changed by doing……

-No practice should not be changed because….

-More research is required before practice can be changed