Evidence-based consumer health information: developing teaching in critical appraisal skills.
OBJECTIVE
To help people who give health information to the public develop the skills they need to make sense of evidence about effectiveness.


METHODS
Educational approach, preceded by careful planning with representatives of possible participants. SETTING AND STUDY OF PARTICIPANTS: Staff in consumer health information services and members of maternity self-help groups in the UK in summer 1995.


METHODS
Pairs of half-day workshops introducing participants to randomised controlled trials and systematic reviews and to their critical appraisal. The workshops were run participatively and had at their centre a critical appraisal session in small groups.


METHODS
Attendance at workshops, satisfaction and enjoyment of workshops; comments at a follow-on event.


RESULTS
Four pairs of workshops were held (three for consumer health information services, one for maternity self-help groups), 54 people attended a pair of workshops and a further 34 attended individual workshops. The workshops were enjoyed and found to be a good use of time.


CONCLUSIONS
It is feasible to introduce critical appraisal skills to people whose primary role is to give health information to the public. There is a need for comparative evaluation of different approaches.
Milne
R
R
ruairidh@cix.compulink.co
Oliver
S
S
D003256:Community Participation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006266:Health Education / Q000379:methods*; D006801:Humans; D015397:Program Evaluation; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D013663:Teaching / Q000379:methods; D013664:Teaching Materials; D006113:United Kingdom