This lively handbook on the fundamentals of Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) leads the reader, step by step, through a process that proceeds from a patient's medical history, via information searches and critical appraisal of the literature, to recommendations for treatment.
Using a simple four-step approach, the author illustrates how to develop better questions and more effective searches, resulting in objective and clinically relevant information that can be evaluated and implemented in day-to-day practice. Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson, the famous fictional detectives, assist throughout, drawing parallels between criminal and medical investigation, and simplifying the processes and themes of EBM.
Evidence-Based Medicine in Sherlock Holmes' Footsteps is a concise, accessible and instructive introduction to EBM for medical students, health care trainees, doctors and allied health professionals, and a valuable resource for anyone wanting to improve their ability to search, access and interpret the wealth of information at the fingertips of today's medical community.
FOREWORD. INTRODUCTION.
STEP 1 FORMULATE AN ANSWERABLE QUESTION.
Information Sources.
Choosing the Appropriate Database.
Systematic Reviews/Meta-Analysis.
Meta-Search Engines.
Clinical Practice Guidelines.
Critically Appraised Topics (CATs).
Primary Information Sources.
Library Resources.
Other EBM Portals.
STEP 2 INFORMATION SEARCH.
Make a Wide Search with High Sensitivity.
Principal Database Search Strategy.
Limit Your Search Results/Increase Your Specificity.
Use a Good Hit for Further Searches.
STEP 3 REVIEW OF INFORMATION AND CRITICAL APPRAISAL.
Quality Assessment of Information.
Evaluation of the Scientific Quality.
Quality of Evidence.
STEP 4 EMPLOY THE RESULTS IN YOUR DAILY PRACTICE.
Applicability.
Balance between Benefit and Harm.
Strength of Recommendation.
Patient's Perceptions.
Make a Recommendation.
Communicating the Evidence to Your Patient.
DEDUCTION, ANALYSIS AND MEDICINE.
REFERENCES.
SUMMARY OF INFORMATION SOURCES AND SEARCH ENGINES.
INTERNET-BASED SPREADSHEETS.
SHERLOCK HOLMES REFERENCES.
LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS.
RECOMMENDED EBM LITERATURE.
GLOSSARY.
INDEX
