OVERVIEW

Accreditation Course in Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM): Part II. Assessing Studies of Diagnostic Tests and Strategies is organized by International Pain & Spine Intervention Society (IPSIS).

Original Release Date: 05/15/2018
Renewal Date: 05/11/2024
Expiration Date: 05/10/2027

Description:
This online course consists of didactic videos highlighting key concepts and statistical tools required for critiquing evidence regarding diagnostic tests and strategies. Each module is followed by a test to assess participants’ understanding of concepts presented. It is accompanied by a small group online discussion led by experienced EBM faculty. Participants who successfully complete the modules and tests and the small group activity will earn up to 7.5 hours of CME.

Those participants who are also interested in obtaining IPSIS EBM accreditation are required to complete an accreditation examination at the completion of the course covering principles, the calculation of statistics, and the critical appraisal of studies of diagnostic tests and strategies. Participants who successfully demonstrate competence on the examination will obtain International Pain & Spine Intervention Society EBM accreditation in the appraisal of evidence in studies of diagnostic tests and strategies.

Learning Goals:
To enhance patient care by providing participants with skills necessary to critically assess studies of diagnostic tests and strategies and implement an evidence-based approach to clinical decision-making.

Educational Objectives:
Upon completion of this activity, participants should be able to:

Describe the need for reliability and validity of diagnostic tests and strategies, and their importance in medical practice;
Calculate basic statistics and identify how statistics are used and misused in studies of diagnostic tests and strategies;
Identify the features of good studies of reliability and validity and the flaws of poor studies;
Report the kappa scores and likelihood ratios for tests relevant to spine medicine; and
Critically appraise studies of diagnostic tests and strategies, identifying methodological limitations and their influence on study conclusions.