Students

MHHX1003 – Evidence-Based Practice in Health

2025 – Session 2, Online-flexible

General Information

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Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit convenor and teaching staff Unit Convenor
Claire Layfield
Thaatsha Sivananthan
Credit points Credit points
10
Prerequisites Prerequisites
Corequisites Corequisites
Co-badged status Co-badged status
Unit description Unit description

In this unit, you will learn how to use research to make informed decisions in healthcare. You will develop the practical skills needed to apply evidence-based approaches to real health issues, while considering different cultural needs. By the end of the unit, you will know how to assess research, apply solutions based on evidence, and work ethically and responsibly.

Important Academic Dates

Information about important academic dates including deadlines for withdrawing from units are available at https://www.mq.edu.au/study/calendar-of-dates

Learning Outcomes

On successful completion of this unit, you will be able to:

  • ULO1: Explain the core principles of evidence-based practice and outline how research informs healthcare decisions to address health issues. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • ULO2: Apply evidence-based approaches to assess health issues and develop practical solutions using research to enhance patient care.  (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • ULO3: Adapt evidence-based practices to meet the needs of diverse populations, considering social and cultural contexts. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • ULO4: Apply ethical decision-making in healthcare, demonstrating an understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles in diverse practice settings. (Capability 4: Professional)

General Assessment Information

Grade descriptors and other information concerning grading are contained in the Macquarie University Assessment Policy.

All final grades are determined by a grading committee, in accordance with the Macquarie University Assessment Policy, and are not the sole responsibility of the Unit Convenor. Students will be awarded a final grade and a mark which must correspond to the grade descriptors specified in the Assessment Procedure (clause 128).

All extensions need to be formally requested via MQ Service Connect in line with the special consideration policy. Supplementary assessment tasks will only be provided following an approved Special Consideration application, and only when appropriate.

Late Submissions

Unless a Special Consideration request has been submitted and approved, a 5% penalty (OF THE TOTAL POSSIBLE MARK) will be applied each day a written assessment is not submitted, up until the 7th day (including weekends). After the 7th day, a grade of ‘0’ will be awarded even if the assessment is submitted. Submission time for all written assessments is set at 11.55pm. A 1-hour grace period is provided to students who experience a technical concern.

For example:

Number of days (hours) late Total Possible Marks Deduction Raw mark Final mark
1 day (1-24 hours) 100 5 75 70
2 days (24-48 hours) 100 10 75 65
3 days (48-72 hours) 100 15 75 60
7 days (144-168 hours) 100 35 75 40
>7 days (>168 hours) 100 - 75 0

Please note no submissions will be accepted after marked assignments are returned and feedback is released to students.

For any late submissions of time-sensitive tasks, such as scheduled tests/exams, performance assessments/presentations, and/or scheduled practical assessments/labs, students need to submit an application for Special Consideration.

Further details for each assessment task will be available on iLearn.

Assessment Tasks

Name Weighting Hurdle Due
Evidence-Based Practice Presentation 30% No 05/09/2025
Research Article Critique 40% No 10/10/2025
Reflective Essay 30% No 31/10/2025

Evidence-Based Practice Presentation

Assessment Type 1: Presentation
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 05/09/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

You will create a short presentation explaining the core principles of evidence-based practice and how research informs healthcare decisions to address a selected health issue. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the core principles of evidence-based practice and outline how research informs healthcare decisions to address health issues. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Apply evidence-based approaches to assess health issues and develop practical solutions using research to enhance patient care.  (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Adapt evidence-based practices to meet the needs of diverse populations, considering social and cultural contexts. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • Apply ethical decision-making in healthcare, demonstrating an understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles in diverse practice settings. (Capability 4: Professional)

Research Article Critique

Assessment Type 1: Professional writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 36 hours
Due: 10/10/2025
Weighting: 40%

 

You will select a peer-reviewed research article on a healthcare topic and conduct a structured critique, focusing on the quality of the research methodology, validity of the findings, and how well the research can be applied to address health issues. In your critique you will also consider how the evidence could be adapted for diverse populations and reflect on ethical considerations.

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Explain the core principles of evidence-based practice and outline how research informs healthcare decisions to address health issues. (Capability 1: Scientist and Scholar)
  • Apply evidence-based approaches to assess health issues and develop practical solutions using research to enhance patient care.  (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Adapt evidence-based practices to meet the needs of diverse populations, considering social and cultural contexts. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • Apply ethical decision-making in healthcare, demonstrating an understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles in diverse practice settings. (Capability 4: Professional)

Reflective Essay

Assessment Type 1: Reflective Writing
Indicative Time on Task 2: 27 hours
Due: 31/10/2025
Weighting: 30%

 

You will write a reflective essay discussing what you have learnt about evidence-based practice throughout the unit and how you will use this knowledge in the future to assess healthcare issues. 

 


On successful completion you will be able to:
  • Apply evidence-based approaches to assess health issues and develop practical solutions using research to enhance patient care.  (Capability 2: Practitioner)
  • Adapt evidence-based practices to meet the needs of diverse populations, considering social and cultural contexts. (Capability 3: Citizen)
  • Apply ethical decision-making in healthcare, demonstrating an understanding of professional responsibilities and ethical principles in diverse practice settings. (Capability 4: Professional)

1 If you need help with your assignment, please contact:

  • the academic teaching staff in your unit for guidance in understanding or completing this type of assessment
  • the Writing Centre for academic skills support.

2 Indicative time-on-task is an estimate of the time required for completion of the assessment task and is subject to individual variation

Delivery and Resources

Delivery and Resources

As a student enrolled in this unit, you will engage in a range of online asynchronous learning activities, including online lecture modules, tutorial classes and readings. Lectures for this unit will be delivered as online learning modules, via the iLearn site, to be completed in your own time during the week and prior to your completion of your online self-paced tutorial activities. 

Further details about lectures and tutorials can be found on the iLearn site for this unit.

Required and Recommended Readings

The recommended textbook for this unit is available free online, via the MQ Library website. Hoffmann, Tammy & Bennett, Sally & Del Mar, Chris. 4th ed (2023). Evidence-based practice across the health professions. Chatswood, NSW : Elsevier Australia

Additional recommended resources will be listed in the Leganto readings list, within the unit's iLearn site.

 

Technology Used

Active participation in the learning activities and completion of the assessment tasks in this unit will require students to have access to a tablet, laptop, desktop computer, or similar device. Students can download the Office 365 suite for free https://students.mq.edu.au/support/ technology/software/microsoft

 

Unit Schedule

Unit Schedule

The following weekly schedule is subject to change; see the iLearn site for the most up-to-date information. Online asynchronous lectures and tutorials both commence from Week 1.

Week

Lecture

1 Unit introduction
2 Understanding research questions, studies & levels of evidence
3 Searching for evidence
4 Review articles & Meta-analyses
5 Quantitative evidence
6 Qualitative evidence & Qualitative vs Quantitative co-design I
7 Qualitative evidence & Qualitative vs Quantitative co-design II
8 Ethical considerations in evidence based practice
Mid-session Break
9 Shared decision making 
10 Clinical reasoning
11 Implementing evidence and closing evidence practice gaps
12 Embedding evidence based practice into routine clinical care
13 No Lecture

Policies and Procedures

Macquarie University policies and procedures are accessible from Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au). Students should be aware of the following policies in particular with regard to Learning and Teaching:

Students seeking more policy resources can visit Student Policies (https://students.mq.edu.au/support/study/policies). It is your one-stop-shop for the key policies you need to know about throughout your undergraduate student journey.

To find other policies relating to Teaching and Learning, visit Policy Central (https://policies.mq.edu.au) and use the search tool.

Student Code of Conduct

Macquarie University students have a responsibility to be familiar with the Student Code of Conduct: https://students.mq.edu.au/admin/other-resources/student-conduct

Results

Results published on platform other than eStudent, (eg. iLearn, Coursera etc.) or released directly by your Unit Convenor, are not confirmed as they are subject to final approval by the University. Once approved, final results will be sent to your student email address and will be made available in eStudent. For more information visit connect.mq.edu.au or if you are a Global MBA student contact globalmba.support@mq.edu.au

Academic Integrity

At Macquarie, we believe academic integrity – honesty, respect, trust, responsibility, fairness and courage – is at the core of learning, teaching and research. We recognise that meeting the expectations required to complete your assessments can be challenging. So, we offer you a range of resources and services to help you reach your potential, including free online writing and maths support, academic skills development and wellbeing consultations.

Student Support

Macquarie University provides a range of support services for students. For details, visit http://students.mq.edu.au/support/

Academic Success

Academic Success provides resources to develop your English language proficiency, academic writing, and communication skills.

The Library provides online and face to face support to help you find and use relevant information resources. 

Student Services and Support

Macquarie University offers a range of Student Support Services including:

Student Enquiries

Got a question? Ask us via the Service Connect Portal, or contact Service Connect.

IT Help

For help with University computer systems and technology, visit http://www.mq.edu.au/about_us/offices_and_units/information_technology/help/

When using the University's IT, you must adhere to the Acceptable Use of IT Resources Policy. The policy applies to all who connect to the MQ network including students.

Inclusion and Diversity

Social inclusion at Macquarie University is about giving everyone who has the potential to benefit from higher education the opportunity to study at university, participate in campus life and flourish in their chosen field. The University has made significant moves to promote an equitable, diverse and exciting campus community for the benefit of staff and students. It is your responsibility to contribute towards the development of an inclusive culture and practice in the areas of learning and teaching, research, and service orientation and delivery. As a member of the Macquarie University community, you must not discriminate against or harass others based on their sex, gender, race, marital status, carers' responsibilities, disability, sexual orientation, age, political conviction or religious belief. All staff and students are expected to display appropriate behaviour that is conducive to a healthy learning environment for everyone.


Unit information based on version 2025.02 of the Handbook