Painless Evidence-Based Medicine

This updated edition of Painless Evidence-Based Medicine presents basic concepts and application of research statistics in simple and practical manner creating an introductory approach to the complex and technical subject of evidence-based medicine from experienced teachers.

• A simplified introductory approach to the complex and technical subject of evidence-based medicine from experienced teachers
• Approaches learning from the vantage point of clinical questions on therapy, diagnosis, prognosis or harm rather than the framework of study designs
• Provides tables and boxed case studies throughout highlighting key topics, or difficult issues, in an easy to read manner
• Emphasizes applicability of EBM, encouraging readers to dissect the evidence and how results can be applied to individual patients with different circumstances, varying values and preferences
• New to the Second Edition are chapters on health screening, clinical practice guidelines, and major updates incorporating recommended trial criteria

List of Contributors vii

Foreword to the First Edition xi

Foreword to the Second Edition xvii

Preface xix

1 Introduction 1

2 Evaluation of Articles on Therapy 12

3 Evaluation of Articles on Diagnosis 38

4 Evaluation of Articles on Harm 58

5 Evaluation of Articles on Prognosis 74

6 Evaluation of Systematic Reviews 87

7 Evaluation of Clinical Practice Guidelines 100

8 Evaluation of Articles on Health Screening 112

9 Literature Searches 122

Index 139

Antonio L. Dans, MD, MSc, Professor, Cardiology, General Medicine, Clinical Epidemiology University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines; Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Philippines.

Leonila F. Dans, MD, MSc, Professor, Pediatric Rheumatology, Clinical Epidemiology; University of the Philippines College of Medicine, Manila, Philippines; Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Philippines.

Maria Asuncion A. Silvestre, MD, Neonatal – Perinatal Medicine; Asia-Pacific Center for Evidence-Based Healthcare, Philippines.

This updated edition of Painless Evidence-Based Medicine presents basic concepts and application of research statistics in simple and practical manner creating an introductory approach to the complex and technical subject of evidence-based medicine from experienced teachers. The authors emphasize two important aspects of appraising research; 1) how directly it is able to provide an answer to the clinical problem at hand, and 2), how well results can be generalized to various populations.

This new edition:

• Offers a simplified introductory approach to the complex and technical subject of evidence-based medicine from experienced teachers
• Approaches learning from the vantage point of clinical questions on therapy, diagnosis, prognosis or harm rather than the framework of study designs
• Provides tables and boxed case studies throughout highlighting key topics, or difficult issues, in an easy to read manner
• Emphasizes applicability of EBM, encouraging readers to dissect the evidence and how results can be applied to individual patients with different circumstances, varying values and preferences
• Includes two new chapters on health screening, clinical practice guidelines, and major updates incorporating recommended trial criteria

This book provides clinicians with the tools to confidently interpret research articles, find such pearls in the busy landscape of the current medical literature, and provide patients optimal medical care.