Becoming ADEPT: delivering distance learning on evidence‐based medicine for librarians

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) brings new challenges and opportunities for librarians. However, their ability to respond to this agenda is constrained by their difficulties in acquiring the requisite new skills and techniques while continuing to work in a busy information practice setting. The authors describe a joint initiative, between a specialist evidence-based healthcare information unit and a regional library network, to deliver training materials using a mixed workshop and distance learning format. The Applying Diagnosis, Etiology, Prognosis, and Therapy filters (ADEPT) Programme draws upon research conducted at McMaster University, Canada and, using techniques adapted from the teaching evidence-based medicine paradigm, seeks to equip health care librarians with the skills and techniques required to support evidence-based practice locally. The authors describe the thinking behind the programme, its main features, the extensive evaluation mechanisms incorporated into the course, the results of the evaluation and the lessons learnt. They conclude with a description of the way forward for participants on the programme who are adapting their newly acquired knowledge to their work situations. Further planned developments from the course's designers are also outlined briefly.