Our Story
This online course developed out of a teaching partnership between David Slawson, MD, and Allen Shaughnessy, PharmD, MMedEd that started in the early 1990s. After receiving training in evidence-based medicine at McMaster University, they expanded the idea to what is called “information mastery.” For 19 years they conducted a yearly multi-day workshop, first at the University of Virginia and then at Tufts University, teaching their approach to evidence-based medicine, information management, and clinical decision making to thousands of physicians, pharmacists, and members of other professions.
This workshop has been conducted throughout the United States at hospital systems and medical schools, as well as in eight countries. In 2014 they developed the first iteration of this online version of the course and a certification program for practicing physicians. The original course has subsequently been adapted and separate courses created to meet the LCME accreditation standards of medical schools, ARC-PA standards of physician assistant programs, and ACGME PBLI milestones for medical residencies. This initial course has expanded to include online courses for professional students in medicine, nursing, pharmacy, and physician assistant programs, residents in all specialties, and a consultation program for accountable care organizations interested in improving care.
