Finding Evidence: Evidence-Based Practice - 20/08/11

Doi : 10.1016/j.hcl.2008.09.002

Richard Martinoff, MD ^a,^⁎ , Hans Kreder, MD ^b,^c,^d,^e
^a Biomedical Informatics, Health Professions Division, College of Osteopathic Medicine, Nova Southeastern University, 3200 South University Drive, Fort Lauderdale, FL 33328, USA
^b Department of Surgery, Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
^c Orthopaedic Surgery and Health Policy Evaluation and Management, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
^d Holland Musculoskeletal Program, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
^e Division of Orthopaedic Surgery, Sunnybrook Health Sciences Centre, MG 365, 2075 Bayview Avenue, Toronto, Ontario M4N 3M5, Canada

Corresponding author.

Abstract

Best practice treatment decisions require the integration of external information, internal information, and patient factors. This article provides a tested methodology for formulating a structured question from a clinical dilemma and then transforming that question into a query appropriate for searching online evidence-based resources. Listed are some of the preeminent online databases for searching for evidence pertinent to clinicians specializing in hand surgery. Also discussed are various online methods for continuously delivering pertinent evidence to the clinician as it becomes available. The conclusion is a practical example of a literature search as it applies to a problem commonly encountered in surgical care of the upper extremity.

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Keywords : Literature search, Clinical guideleines, Evidence-based surgical practice