CASP International Network

The CASP International Network (CASPin) is an international collaboration which supports the teaching and learning of critical appraisal skills, and in particular helps other people set up sustainable training programmes.

Critical appraisal is a key skill required to be able to make evidence-based decisions. The CASPin teaching philosophy uses problem-based, small group learning within a supportive, collegiate environment to help people to develop their skills and put them into practice.

What has CASPin achieved internationally?

CASPin grew out of the work of the Critical Appraisal Skills Programme in Oxford,(known as CASPuk within the network), whose work began in 1993 to help health care decisions makers understand scientific evidence. A similar critical programme was started in Spain (CASPe) in 1997 and further networks developed in Romania, Hungary, Japan, Poland, India and Norway. Many members of the network have organised critical appraisal workshops in about 30 other countries, particularly in South America and Central and Eastern Europe.

The first CASP International Training week was held in London, England on 5-9July 1999. The meeting was attended by over 20 delegates from 11 countries.

CASPin has now held a total of eight international training weeks.One of these, held in Budapest in 2002, was a training week tailored for participants from 30 countries in Central and Eastern Europe and the Former Soviet Union. Since 2004 the training week has been organised in collaboration with the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine, Oxford, England, offering access to an additional wide-range of external speakers and plenary sessions.

CASPin can help if you:

1. Want to find out where to get critical appraisal training in your country
2. Would like help setting up a critical appraisal skills training programme in your own country or area
3. Would like to make contact with people who run such training around the world
4. Would like to share your experiences and learn from others