EBVM Learning II: Updating an Open-Access Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Online Tutorial

Objectives: This project aims to update an open-access evidence-based veterinary medicine online tutorial, EBVM Learning, http://ebvmlearning.org. The original EBVM Learning, released in 2015, receives more than 1000 visits per month, and is used both in universities and by veterinarians in practice.

Methods: Funded by a RCVS Knowledge Target Grant, EBVM Learning is based on a five-step description of evidence-based practice: Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply, and Assess. Additionally, an ABCs section provides overall context.
The revision was designed as a team exercise. Teams included project management, programming, and individual steps. Four librarians were responsible for Acquire.
Project management led the year of work. EVBM step members worked remotely in the spring, met in July 2019, and continued work remotely until the fall deadlines. EBVM Learning II is scheduled for release in late 2020.
Revision and updates were based on expertise, website feedback, surveys, and updated software capabilities. Feedback and surveys asked respondents to identity what they liked most, liked least, and solicited improvement and enhancement ideas. An article about the user feedback was published in Veterinary Evidence in February 2021.

Results: Release of the revised version was scheduled for late 2020, however, the global pandemic caused delays and it was released in spring 2021. Both the original and revised versions of EBVM Learning are available through July 2021 through the single website http://ebvmlearning.org. The two versions are simultaneously available to accommodate in-progress use and university teaching of the original version which will be archived in July. The revised version, currently available directly at http://learn.rcvsknowledge.org/ebvm-learning, takes advantage of the new Moodle-based RCVS Knowledge Learn platform. Additionally, each version is available as a pdf download.

User feedback about the original version indicated that the current format was unsuitable for busy veterinarians in practice. Accordingly, the next phase of the project will create a slimline version especially for veterinary practitioners. Currently in development, it is scheduled for release in late 2021.




Conclusions: The of EBVM Learning tutorial has increased awareness of evidence-based practice in the profession and at universities. It is helping the next generation of veterinary students and veterinarians engage in EBVM in clinical practice.