Adel Boparai BSc & Della Freeth PhD BSc CertED FSS FHEA

1. Centre for Medical Education, Institute of Health Sciences Education Reflections on the benefits of introducing the NICE Student Champions Scheme: an action research study Adel Boparai BSc & Della Freeth PhD BSc CertED FSS FHEA Background: The UK’s National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) promotes evidence-based practice (EBP) and has developed a free quality-assured web-resource, NHS Evidence (Figure 1). The resource gives free simultaneous access to more than 300,000 quality health and social care resources from selected evidence providers. The target users are health professionals and healthcare students. The NICE Evidence Search Student Champion Scheme promotes healthcare students’ use of Evidence Search. It provides training and certification for Student Champions who cascade their knowledge and undertake evaluation. AB and two peers led and evaluated the introduction of the Student Champion Scheme within our medical school. Further information on the Scheme can be accessed at: http://www.nice.org.uk/getinvolved/studentchampions/StudentChampions.jsp . • Summary of Work: • The steps taken to negotiate introduction of NHS Evidence sessions Action Research Cycle 1 (C1) comprisedare illustrated in Figure 2. • Action Research Cycle 2 (C2) addresses: modifications in response to C1 evaluation and embedding of the Scheme in curricula. Figure 1: NICE Evidence Search Website • Results: • The faculty supported the delivery of the sessions in teaching time. The programme was initially offered to all 2nd year medical students (246 students). Later, optional drop-in sessions were offered for the entire medical student cohort (2351 students). Half a day was required to train 10 Student Champions. The Student Champions delivered 8 NICE Evidence Search teaching sessions: 4 to 2nd year medical students and 4 drop-in sessions. • Evaluation data suggested: • Sessions raised awareness of EBP • Perceptions of improved participants’ EBP research skills • Developed Student Champion teaching skills Figure 2: Action Research Cycle 1 Noting the perspectives of student participants, Student Champions and faculty through questionnaires, focus groups, individual interviews and reflexive research journal Discussion: An action research approach promoted a critical implementation of the national Scheme. It encouraged scrutiny of decisions and greater attention to local context. Discussions with stakeholders provided feedback for C2. Take Home Message: Action research supported reflexive development of student-led education for EBP. Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London Centre for Medical Education, Institute of Health Education Turner Street, London E1 2AG E-mail: Adel Boparai - ha10019@qmul.ac.uk