Evidence-based consumer health information: developing teaching in critical appraisal skills

Abstract

Objective: To help people who give health information to the public develop the skills they need to make sense of evidence about effectiveness.

Design: 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.

Interventions: 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.

Main outcome measures: 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.