Values add value: An online tool enhances postgraduate evidence-based practice learning

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. Aim: 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. Conclusion: 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.