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CLINICAL CURIOSITY
Year 4 and 5
Doing and using research as healthcare professionals
The Clinical Curiosity module builds on foundational knowledge that is integrated into the teaching and learning activities of the modules
in the first three years, by teaching students critical appraisal skills. Students get to apply these skills in the remaining three modules
in years 4-6. The module also aims to equip students with the knowledge and skills to identify and apply all the components of a research
project, including reviewing the literature, phrasing clear questions, research methodology, and ethical considerations in research
Distributed Apprenticeship Yr 6
Critically appraise diagnostic accuracy studies
in relation to questions arising in clinical
practice, and apply the steps of evidenceinformed
decision-making
Core Clinical Rotations Yr 5
Critically appraise systematic reviews in
relation to questions arising in clinical practice,
and apply the steps of evidence-informed
decision-making
After reviewing foundation phase
content on accessing and assessing
different kinds of evidence, the focus of
this week is on teaching students the approach
for critical appraisal and applying
this to RCTs. Students will also learn how
to identify research questions and write
a literature review. Students will begin to
work on their protocols in groups.
Students will learn how to apply the
critical appraisal approach to systematic
reviews. The focus of this week will
be on understanding and applying
quantitative and qualitative methodologies.
Students will select an appropriate
research design for their research
question and write the methods
section of their protocols.
Core Clinical Rotations Yr 4
Critically appraise randomised controlled
trials in relation to questions arising in clinical
practice, and apply the steps of evidenceinformed
decision-making
Clinical Curiosity Yrs 4 & 5
During this week, students will continue to
develop their research protocols. They will
learn about managing the data collection
process and key ethical considerations in
research. Students will be taught about
quantitative and qualitative data analysis
and will have the opportunity to apply this
knowledge in practical sessions.
WEEK 1 WEEK 2
WEEK 3 WEEK 4
Students learn how to apply the critical
appraisal approach to diagnostic studies.
The focus of the week will be on interpreting
and writing up results, with practical
academic writing skills sessions and
opportunities to finalise their research
protocols. An overview of the next steps
in the research process will be followed
by sessions on the translation of
research into policy and practice.
Learn how to use and do
health-related research
Interventions Yr 3, Sem 2
Understand randomised controlled trial (RCT) and systematic review study designs
Medical Detective Yr 3, Sem 1
Learn about principles and study designs relating to screening. Understand diagnostic study designs
Dysfunction Yr 2, Sem 2
Understand qualitative study designs. Describe how quantitative and qualitative studies complement one another
Health and Wellness Yr 2, Sem 1
Learn about risk factors and burden of disease. Understand cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies
Form and Function Yr 1, Sem 2
Learn how to search for and identify different kinds of evidence sources. Apply descriptive statistics
Being and Becoming in Healthcare Yr 1, Sem 1
Learn principles and steps of evidence-informed decision-making. Identify different kinds of questions and data
CONTACT:
debbiem@sun.ac.za
021 938 9181
OUR MODULE TEAM
Prof Taryn Young Dr Debbie Marais Ms Anel Schoonees Dr Wentzel Dowling Prof Lana van Niekerk Prof Andre van der Prof Dana Niehaus Prof David Hall Mr Rudolf Boshoff
Merwe
& Q Tygerberg
Undergraduate
Research Society