ANES 4071 - Research Skills for Anesthesia Assistants

Course Description

Students establish or advance their understanding of research through critical exploration of research design, data collection, and analysis. The language of research, ethical principles and challenges, and the elements of the research process are examined. Students begin to critically review literature relevant to the field of anesthesia and determine how research findings are useful in informing their practice.

Learning outcomes

• Discuss research design and data collection methods.
• Discuss data analysis and interpretation.
• Describe the dissemination of health research information.
• Critically review literature relevant to the field of anesthesia.
• Evaluate research by Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendations classifications.

Course topics

• Module 1: Introduction to Research
• Module 2: Research Design and Data Collection
• Module 3: Data Analysis and Interpretation
• Module 4: Research Dissemination
• Module 5: Levels of Evidence and Grades of Recommendations

Required text and materials

Students are responsible for purchasing the required materials on their own:

• Harvey, B. J., Lang, E. S., & Frank, J. R. (Eds.). (2011). The Research Guide: A Primer for Residents, Other Health Care Trainees, and Practitioners. Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada.  
  Type: Textbook. ISBN: 9781926588094

Optional materials

Students are encouraged to have a dictionary to look up unfamiliar terms. The following is recommended:

• Porta, M. (Ed.). (2014). A Dictionary of Epidemiology (6th ed.). Oxford, UK: Oxford University Press.

However, another dictionary of epidemiology, research, or statistics might also be used, as might an online glossary, such as the following:

• National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools. (n.d.). Glossary. McMaster University.

Assessments

To successfully complete this course, students must achieve a passing grade of 50% or higher on the overall course, and 50% or higher on the final mandatory project.

Students applying this course toward any TRU Health Care program may be required to obtain a minimum 60% on the course overall to meet the program requirements.

Recommended requisite(s)

It is highly recommended that the student be a RRT, RN, MD or an equally qualified individual with at least one year of clinical experience prior to taking this course. A background as an AA, RRT, RN, MD, or equivalent is strongly recommended.

Note: Taking this course does not imply admission to the Anesthesia Assistant Program.