Promoting Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine through the online resource ‘EBVM Learning’: User feedback

Abstract

Abstract
 ‘EBVM Learning’ is a freely available resource created in 2015 by an international team with the support of RCVS Knowledge. The resource comprises a series of online modules teaching the fundamental concepts of evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) (Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply & Assess) supported by case studies, exercises, worked examples and quizzes. The aim of the current study (undertaken in 2019) was to review ‘EBVM Learning’ to ensure its ongoing relevance and usefulness to the range of learners engaged in EBVM. Feedback was gathered from stakeholder groups using website statistics and feedback forms, a survey and semi-structured interviews to provide a combination of quantitative and qualitative data.
 Website statistics revealed an international audience and a steady increase in visitors exceeding 1,000 per month in August 2020. Feedback via the online form (n=35) and survey (n=71) indicated that the resource was well structured, with an appropriate level and amount of content, useful examples and quizzes and the majority of respondents would use it again. Semi-structured interviews of educators (n=5) and veterinarians (n=8) identified three themes: features of the ‘EBVM Learning’ resource (strengths, suggestions for improvement), embedding the resource in education (undergraduate, postgraduate) and promoting EBVM (challenges, motivation for engagement). At a project team workshop the results were used to plan updates to the existing content and to identify new ways to promote learning and engagement. An updated version of ‘EBVM Learning’ was developed.
 ‘EBVM Learning’ is helping to produce the next generation of evidence-based practitioners and enabling to engage in the concepts of EBVM as part of their clinical practice.
 

Exploring the motivations, challenges, and barriers for implementing evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) in general practice

“…These key challenges to implementing EBVM align with those identified by several previous studies (Vandeweerd et The participants were clearly conscious of the value of EBVM in general practice, but greater promotion and overall awareness of these benefits would be helpful. It has previously been shown that support of EBM / EBVM in clinical settings is associated with increased uptake (Zwolsman et al, 2013;and Sellers et al, 2021). Promoting EBVM to veterinary practitioners and the wider veterinary profession could focus on highlighting the benefits e.g., improving clinical outcomes, increasing practitioners' confidence, building client trust, and increasing employee engagement (Hauser & Jackson, 2017).…”

“…The participants identified a need for more accessible, relevant evidence of sufficient quantity and quality, and described their EBVM activities as centring around group knowledge-sharing (e.g., journal clubs) or practice-wide uses of EBVM (e.g., clinical guidelines). It is recognised across the profession that various improvements to the veterinary evidence-base are needed (Lanyon, 2014;Dean & Heneghan, 2019;and Sellers et al, 2021), which would allow practitioners to utilise EBVM more in their day-to-day practice e.g., when deciding on treatment of an individual case. Greater use of evidence syntheses and published evidence-based clinical guidelines are ways to reduce the time burden on busy practitioners and avoid the need to undertake a full independent evaluation (appraisal) of the primary sources.…”

“…It is widely recognised that clinicians face several barriers to using EBVM. The most significant of these are time, access to quality evidence, and making evidence relevant and applicable to the clinical setting (Sackett, 1997 Sellers et al, 2021). Practitioners also need the necessary skills to practise EBVM; effective literature searching, critical appraisal, and the ability to apply the evidence found within the clinical context (Vandeweerd et al, 2012;and Huntley et al, 2017).…”

“…A need for improved access to evidence is frequently cited in the veterinary literature (Wales, 2000;Vandeweerd et al, 2012;Hauser & Jackson, 2017;and Sellers et al, 2021). A decade ago, it was reported that there was significant underdevelopment in the veterinary field across all elements of the information infrastructure that supported EBVM when compared to that of human medicine (Toews, 2011).…”

“…In a previous study, feedback was gathered on the online resource 'EBVM Learning' from those using it in academia and practice (Sellers et al, 2021). The information was used to review and update the resource to ensure it remained relevant and valuable for the range of learners engaged in EBVM.…”