Finding Evidence – Recognising Hype: new online learning program Finding Evidence – Recognising Hype: new online learning program

23 November 2009

A new online learning program to help health professionals improve their skills in critically assessing new medicines has been developed by the National Prescribing Service Ltd (NPS).

Finding Evidence – Recognising Hype comprises six interactive learning modules, each focusing on the key skills needed to make evidence-based decisions about prescribing new medicines.

“There has been a lot of discussion lately about the influence of marketing and promotional information on prescribing practice,” NPS CEO, Dr Lynn Weekes said.

“This online learning program will help prescribers to find and use independent, evidence-based information about new drugs.”

“Most prescribers don’t have time to critically analyse original research papers. When a new drug comes onto the market the questions that should be considered for each individual patient include: how does it compare to existing therapies, how were clinical trials carried out, and what are the risks and benefits of this medicine for this particular patient?”

Finding Evidence – Recognising Hype provides prescribers with a range of resources to answer these questions about new medicines. This includes an e-toolkit which enables participants to set up their own independent resources and alerts for future use.

The program encourages health professionals to reflect on their medicine information needs, formulate clinical questions about medicines and refine their critical appraisal skills. Participants will reflect on how well promotional and commercial sources of information meet their needs, and will gain skills in communicating the risks and benefits of new medicines to patients.

“We know that GPs are extremely busy and one of the key benefits of this case-based program is the flexibility to complete the modules in your own time,” Dr Weekes said.

While primarily aimed at GPs, the program will be available to pharmacists, nurse practitioners and any other interested health professionals.  

The six hour program has been approved in the 2008-2010 triennium by the RACGP QA & CPD program (40 points Category 1) and the ACRRM PD Program (6 ALS PDP points).

To enrol in the Finding Evidence – Recognising Hype online learning program or for more information visit http://www.nps.org.au/ferh.

ENDS

The National Prescribing Service Limited (NPS) is an independent, not-for-profit organisation for quality use of medicines funded by the Australian Government Department of Health and Ageing.