1 / 21

Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions dr samira alsenany

Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions dr samira alsenany. Answering Clinical Questions. Finding the right information to answer a given question often depends on the source of the information

gaenor
Download Presentation

Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions dr samira alsenany

An Image/Link below is provided (as is) to download presentation Download Policy: Content on the Website is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use and may not be sold / licensed / shared on other websites without getting consent from its author. Content is provided to you AS IS for your information and personal use only. Download presentation by click this link. While downloading, if for some reason you are not able to download a presentation, the publisher may have deleted the file from their server. During download, if you can't get a presentation, the file might be deleted by the publisher.

E N D

Presentation Transcript

  1. Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions dr samira alsenany

  2. Answering Clinical Questions • Finding the right information to answer a given question often depends on the source of the information • Searching for evidence that has already been appraised for the quality of the study methodology and the reliability of its findings is desirable • Pre-appraised literature Dr SA 2012

  3. Tools for Answering Clinical Questions • Begin with a PICOT question • Determine the source from which the best evidence is available • Clinicians need peer-reviewed research Dr SA 2012

  4. External Sources of Evidence • Textbooks and journals • Consolidated resources Dr SA 2012

  5. Hierarchy of Evidence Dr SA 2012

  6. Question • Which of the following sources of evidence is best able to inform a nurse’s clinical practice? • A well-designed randomized controlled trial (RCT) • A systematic review that encompasses multiple studies • Expert opinion of experienced and educated nurses • A case study that addresses an unique clinical scenario Dr SA 2012

  7. Answer • b. A systematic review that encompasses multiple studies • Rationale: Systematic reviews are considered to be higher on the hierarchy of evidence than expert opinion or individual RCTs and case studies. Dr SA 2012

  8. Which Resource or Database is a Good Match? • Online databases • Grey literature • Bibliographic versus full-text databases Dr SA 2012

  9. Collaboration with Healthcare Librarians • Librarians are a rich source of assistance • They are especially valuable when time is of the essence Dr SA 2012

  10. Keyword and Controlled Vocabulary Searching • Keyword searching is searching using simple, everyday language • Controlled vocabulary systems, e.g., MeSH • Normally have a hierarchical structure that helps the searcher retrieve the more specific terms that fall under a general term • Most large bibliographic databases (MEDLINE, CINAHL, and PsycINFO) use a controlled vocabulary to describe the content of references Dr SA 2012

  11. Question • Tell whether the following statement is true or false. • A controlled-vocabulary system may yield fewer hits than a keyword search, but these hits are more likely to be relevant to the clinical question. Dr SA 2012

  12. Answer • True • Controlled vocabulary systems exist to increase the relevance of search results while limiting the number of less-relevant hits. Dr SA 2012

  13. Combining and Limiting Searches • Combining search terms from within a PICOT question focuses the search results • Consider that different search engines process terms in the search box in different ways • Using the “limit” function is designed to help the searcher pare down the large results list • Manage inclusion and exclusion criteria carefully Dr SA 2012

  14. Online Searches • Managing citations • Saving searches • Organizing searches Dr SA 2012

  15. Selecting Databases: Cochrane Databases • A collection of 6 different databases • “Gold standard” database is the CochraneDatabase of Systematic Reviews (CDSR) • Systematic reviews are based on critical appraisal Dr SA 2012

  16. Selecting Databases: National Guideline Clearinghouse • A comprehensive database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines • Guidelines are systematically developed statements about a plan of care for a specific set of clinical circumstances involving a particular population Dr SA 2012

  17. Selecting Databases • MEDLINE - covers medicine, health, and the biomedical sciences • CINAHL – covers 13 nursing and allied health disciplines • EMBASE - major European biomedical and pharmaceutical database • PsycInfo – covers psychology, behavioral sciences, and mental health Dr SA 2012

  18. Question • Which of the following online evidence sources is most likely to provide pre-appraised evidence? • CINAHL • MEDLINE • PubMed • Cochrane Library Dr SA 2012

  19. Answer • d. Cochrane Library • Rationale: The Cochrane Databases consist of systematic reviews that synthesize evidence from multiple peer-reviewed sources. CINAHL, MEDLINE, and PubMed may contain evidence at a synthesis level, but are more often sources of individual articles that a nurse must appraise. Dr SA 2012

  20. Specialized Search Functions • PubMed • Ovid • EBSCO Any search for evidence must be followed by critical appraisal Dr SA 2012

  21. Thanks Dr SA 2012

More Related