Educational Activities

Educational Activities 

Upcoming Workshops/Courses for 2010

March

19th Annual Evidence Based Practice Course: An Introduction to EBP and Critical Appraisal 

August
Statistics for Clinical Research: An Introductory Course 

September
Grant Writing and Manuscript Preparation 

October
Guideline Development  

This is a preliminary timetable and is subject to change. More information will be added as details are confirmed.  For more information, please contact Ibinabo Ibiebele by email Ibinabo.Ibiebele@mater.org.au or phone +617 3163 1591 

Past Workshops/Courses 

Statistics for Clinical Research: An Introductory Course
 Friday 18th September and Saturday 19th September

 

Location

Kevin Cronin Room, Ground Floor, Whitty Building, Annerley Road, Wooloongabba

 

Contacts

For enquiries regarding course content, please contact Kristen Gilshenan (Statistician) Kristen.Gilshenan@mater.org.au  Ph: +61 7 3163 1587

For all other enquiries please contact Kate Reynolds (Executive Support Officer) Kate.Reynolds@mater.org.au  Ph: +61 7 3163 1591

 

Program

This course is designed for novice research clinicians including medical, nursing and allied health professionals, managers and educators from all health care disciplines who are looking for a practical introduction to statistics in clinical research.


The course material includes basic probability of statistics, comparison of multiple groups, correlation and regression and calculation of sample sizes. The course will consist of both self-directed learning and practical sessions involving the staff from the Mater Research Support Centre. During the self directed learning staff from the MRSC will be available to help via e-mail and web communications. The contact sessions will be held on consecutive days Friday and Saturday 18th and 19th September. Those who are unwilling or unable to dedicate time to self-directed learning may find the course difficult and unrewarding.

 

Outline of the course:

Probability Theory: normal distribution; mean, standard deviation, standard error of the mean; confidence intervals for measurements and means; difference between two groups, standard error of the difference, confidence interval of the difference.

Difference Between Two Groups: risk difference and numbers needed to treat; Relative risks; Odds ratio; Fisher's Exact probability test; Difference between two means; Forest plots.

Sample Size Calculations: type I and II errors; sample size requirements for comparing two proportions and two means

Correlation, Regression and Prediction: correlation; regression; sensitivity and specificity; prevalence, positive and negative predictive values, pre and post test probabilities; likelihood ratio; receiver operator characteristics (ROC) curves 

 

Cochrane Workshop

Developing a Protocol for a Systematic Review

Introduction to Analysis

 

This two day workshop held in May was designed for new review authors who are either in the process of, or about to begin working on a protocol. The workshop content was delivered using a mixture of presentations and small group activities gave participants the opportunity to develop and refine their protocols.  The areas covered included an overview of the format of a review protocol, an introduction to meta-analysis, summary statistics for binary and continuous data, identifying and incorporating heterogeneity, sensitivity and subgroup analyses and reporting bias.  If you would like more information or wish to register for future Cochrane Workshops, please contact Kate Reynolds by email kate.reynolds@mater.org.au or by phone +61 7 3163 1591. 

Evidence Based Practice Workshop

The 18th Annual Evidence Based Practice Workshop entitled 'Understanding clinical research to guide practice' was held on Friday 24th July 2009. The workshop was aimed at novice clinical researchers looking for a practical introduction to the interpretation and clinical practice implications of published papers. Faculty included clinicians and academics from Queensland universities and the Mater Health Services.

 

The topics covered included: an overview of evidence based health care; framing the research question; using Cochrane and Joanna Briggs systematic reviews; research design and levels of evidence; measures of association; error, bias and confounding; p-values and confidence intervals; testing a test; how to critically appraise a published paper and principles of implementing research into practice. The workshop was eligible for CPD points with the RACP, RACGP and ACM.  If you are interested in future Evidence Based Practice workshops, please contact Kate Reynolds by email kate.reynolds@mater.org.au or by phone +61 7 3163 1591 to register your interest. 

 

 

Protocol Workshop

Designing a protocol for a maternal or perinatal RCT

 

 The aim of this two day workshop held in August was to develop a protocol for a randomised clinical trial in maternal and perinatal health. The workshop was targeted at research clinicians who have a research question and are in the process of, or intending to develop a protocol for a randomised clinical trial. The workshop was delivered through a series of presentations and small group sessions which provided participants with the knowledge and resources to complete their protocols. The workshop was also an excellent opportunity for collaboration on research projects. If you are interested in future WOMBAT Protocol workshops, please contact Kate Reynolds by email kate.reynolds@mater.org.au or by phone +61 7 3163 1591 to register your interest