Course Overview

BUS-453: Applications of Evidence Based Medicine (4 credits)
Program(s): CMR

COURSE CONSULTANTS

FIRST EDITION

Edward P. Armstrong, PharmD, BCPS, FASHP
Professor
University of Arizona
Department of Pharmacy and Science, College of Pharmacy
Tucson, Arizona

David A. Sclar, BPharm, PhD
Boeing Distinguished Professor of Health Policy and Administration

Director, Pharmacoeconomics and Pharmacoepidemiology Research Unit, Department of Health Policy and Administration, Washington State University
Pullman, Washington

Who Should Take This Course:
Managers, sales representatives, and others who interact with healthcare professionals such as physicians, pharmacists, and administrators who would benefit from evidence-based research when making prescribing and purchasing decisions.

Career Applications/Benefits:
The application of evidence-based medicine (EBM) to clinical decision-making has become increasingly important in today’s cost-conscious healthcare environment. Understanding the EBM process will help you appreciate how clinicians view the approved clinical reprints you carry and the information you provide about the clinical research that supports your products. Your understanding will help you present critical information more effectively in your interactions with clinicians. Integrating EBM into your call planning will help you become a valued resource to the clinicians and decision makers on whom you call.

Course Descriptions:
This course is designed to provide you with an in-depth understanding of EBM and how to integrate EBM into your call strategy with clinicians. The course includes elements of pharmaceutical research and clinical trial designs and explains how to understand and interpret clinical reprints and clinical trial results. The course also includes application exercises that will help you apply EBM with healthcare practitioners.

Related Courses:
The 21 st Century Physician Contemporary Pharmacoeconomics Outcomes: Measurement, Management, and Marketing	Pharmaceutical and Medical Research The Value of Pharmaceuticals

Course Content:

Chapter 1: Fundamentals of Evidence-Based Medicine
	Historical Background and Definition of Evidence-Based Medicine Key Elements of the EBM Process The Strengths and Limitations of EBM Integrating EBM in Your Call Strategy with Clinicians
Chapter 2: Principles and Elements of Pharmaceutical Research
	The Basic Elements of Research and Development The Drug Development Process Postmarketing Surveillance (Phase IV) Sources of Funding
Chapter 3: Essential Elements of Clinical Trial Designs
	A Closer Look at Research Protocols Experimental Designs Methods of Controlling Bias How Study Design Applies to Clinical Decision-Making EBM in Therapeutic Trial Design
Chapter Four: Understanding Clinical Reprints
	Research Reports and the Role of Statistical Analysis The Anatomy of a Clinical Reprint
Chapter Five: Understanding Clinical Trial Results
	Factors that Affect the Validity of Trial Results Evaluating the Importance and Clinical Relevance of Study Results Application of Study Results to the Clinicians’ Patients Use of Results from Clinical Trials to Support Product Sales and Distribution
Chapter Six: Applying Evidence-Based Medicine with Healthcare Practitioners
	The Strengths and Limitations of Evidence-Based Medicine in Clinician Interactions Effective Strategies for the Six Elements of a Sales Call

Learning Objectives:
Upon successful completion of this course, students will be able to describe the key elements of the EBM process; describe the strengths and limitations of EBM; describe the elements of research and development including the drug development process; describe various research protocols and experimental designs; differentiate among various sections of a clinical reprint relative to purpose, content, and significance; evaluate the importance and clinical relevance of study results; and apply EBM in interactions with healthcare practitioners.