title: Values add value: an online tool enhances postgraduate evidence-based practice learning.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  To better prepare practitioners for the complex world of clinical decision-making, teaching evidence-based practice needs to move beyond its focus on skills and knowledge to give students an experience and understanding of applying evidence in practice.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To explore whether incorporating an online values-based tool enhanced learning in a post graduate epidemiology course.
  
  
  METHODS
  Having completed a critical appraisal of an epidemiological study, students were asked to then respond to a case scenario, using the analytical frameworks of the Values-Exchange, a software tool that highlights ethical domains in decision-making. The student experience of the Values-Exchange was evaluated using focus groups. Sessions were audiotaped and transcribed. In total, 613 responses were analysed by two independent coders to identify emergent themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Three main themes emerged: (1) the Values-Exchange exposed students to new concepts and ideas relating to healthcare decision-making; (2) the diversity of other student values broadened their perspectives and (3) the experience brought reality to what it means to apply evidence in practice.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Adding an online values-based tool to clinical epidemiology teaching was highly valued by students and enabled new understandings of empirical evidence and its application in practice.
authors.affiliation: Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Level 4, School of Population Health, Tamaki Innovation Campus, The University of Auckland, Private Bag 92019, Auckland 1142, New Zealand. g.robb@auckland.ac.nz
authors.forename: Gillian
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Robb
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Wells
authors.forename: Felicity
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Goodyear-Smith
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D003657:Decision Making; D004813:Epidemiology / Q000193:education*; D026690:Ethics, Clinical; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged