From Search to Synthesis: Design of an Interactive Evidence-Based Toolkit for Medical Postgraduates in Nigeria

Abstract

Mastering the transition from literature searching to evidence synthesis remains a significant challenge in postgraduate medical education. This study presents the conceptual design of an interactive, evidence-based toolkit specifically engineered to bridge the gap between basic descriptive summaries and critical thematic synthesis. Traditionally, medical postgraduates struggle with this transition, a hurdle that directly undermines the quality of clinical research and the application of evidence-based practice. The proposed toolkit is structured around a three-tier architecture designed for implementation within an intensive sixty-minute masterclass. The design integrates the PICO(S) framework for precise query formulation, MeSH-term optimisation for systematic database navigation, and a structured synthesis matrix for thematic data integration. To evaluate the design's effectiveness, the study proposes a quasi-experimental, pre-test/post-test framework. This will allow for the tracking of shifts in information-seeking behaviour and critical appraisal skills through validated self-efficacy scales and rubric-based assessments. By focusing on the deliberate design of such interactive tools, this study seeks to provide a scalable solution for closing the "evidence-to-practice" gap. The architecture is intended to foster high confidence in navigating digital databases while reducing reliance on fragmented, non-systematic searching. Ultimately, equipping postgraduates with these specific digital competencies will support a new generation of clinicians capable of contributing high-impact, evidence-based insights to the global healthcare landscape.