All healthcare providers, have to make multiple clinical decisions regarding the management and care of their people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs) every day. These clinical decisions are based on the experiences of the healthcare providers, the preferences and goals of the patients, organisational and structural circumstances, and scientific evidence.

This structured process of decision-making is called evidence-based practice (EBP). The importance of EBP was also confirmed in the "2019 EULAR recommendations for the generic core competences of health professionals in rheumatology", where it is stated that HPRs should provide evidence-based advice and treatment to people with rheumatic and musculoskeletal diseases (RMDs). However, the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of research evidence in clinical decision-making about the management and care of people with RMDs remains an interdisciplinary problem to this day. Lack of time, motivation, but above all lack of skills in searching, interpreting and implementing scientific research results is constantly challenging HPRs. In implementation science, it is assumed that research results take up to 17 years until they are used, if at all, for and in clinical practice.

One way to increase HPRs awareness of the importance of implementing research findings into clinical practice and to increase the skills and abilities to search for, interpret and implement scientific evidence is to provide training for healthcare providers. Therefore, the overarching aim is to familiarize HPRs in Europe with the basics of EBP and empower them to independently search for the latest research evidence (formulate clinical questions, search, evaluate and apply research, evaluate and apply the best scientific evidence available).

Finally, the most important thing, knowledge and application of EBP is essential to comply with all recommendations for the generic core-competence for HPRs in rheumatology and, in particular, with the need to take responsibility for their continuous learning and ongoing professional development to remain up to date with the clinical guidelines and/or recommendations on the management of RMDs.

Overarching aim:

The overarching aim of this course is to familiarize HPRs in Europe with the basics of EBP and empower them to independently search for the latest research evidence (formulate clinical questions, search, evaluate and apply the best scientific evidence available, with particular attention to RCT studies, systematic reviews, diagnostic accuracy cross-sectional studies and guidelines).

Learning Objectives:

1. To understand the basics and principles of evidence-based practice;
2. To transform information needs to specific clinical questions which can be used for the literature search;
3. To find the best evidence available that addresses and answers the question;
4. To perform the critical appraisal of scientific literature focusing on validity, relevance and applicability about these study designs;

The course is run entirely through the web for one year and access to it will expire next year automatically. It will cover 7 modules, starting each October. Upon completing the course, a EULAR certificate will be issued.