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May 2008
Evidence for the Busy Pediatrician
How can the busy pediatrician possibly practice evidence-based medicine? How much time does it take out of his busy day of appointments? How much skill does it take for her to find the evidence and evaluate it?
Luckily, we now have helpful online tools that make practicing EBM much easier. There are several databases that give critical appraisals of original research articles. These give a summary of the research, usually beginning with the clinical question, the study design or methods, and a synopsis of the study. Studies are then either given an evidence grade, or a written evaluation by a reviewer. Examples of pre-appraised resources include the ACP Journal Club and Essential Evidence Plus (formerly InfoPOEMs). These are best searched is a very simple manner, usually by entering the name of the disease or condition.
Other types of pre-appraised resources give overviews of diseases and conditions that include evidence-based recommendations. These include databases like Evidence Matters, and DynaMed.
 
And because healthcare providers are realizing the importance of EBM practice, more clinical databases are beginning to cite the evidence for their recommendation. A good example of this is the popular database, UpToDate, which announced its intention to require evidence citations from its authors. Results of this change can already be seen in the database.
Like the ACP Journal Club and EEP, these are best searched with just a keyword for the condition and/or treatment being considered.
Although not an excuse for abandoning the thorough reading of original journal articles, these online databases can offer a quick and reliable way to find evidence for practice on those busy days.
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Laura Cousineau, MLS
MUSC Library
Dept. of Pediatrics EBM Faculty |
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