An introduction to the evidence-based medicine workshop at SMACC Gold 2014, led by St Emlyn’s and Critical Care Reviews. It sets out an approach to asking useful questions, finding relevant research and translating evidence into care, with a self-assessment quiz on everyday EBM habits.
SMACCGold EBM workshop with St.Emlyns and Critical Care Reviews Read More
A collection of BestBets critical appraisal checklists for clinicians preparing for journal club or examinations. The post links to tools for different study designs, including randomised trials, diagnostic studies, reviews, decision rules and qualitative research, and encourages sharing completed appraisals.
JC: BestBets checklists for critical appraisal. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Does the precordial thump deliver the dramatic benefit its image suggests? This 2013 journal club examines Australian cardiac-arrest registry data, considering rhythm deterioration, the small number of treated patients and the limitations of using observational records to judge an intervention.
JC: There’s no jump with a precordial thump. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Do intravenous fluids shorten an emergency department stay for uncomplicated alcohol intoxication? This 2013 journal club reviews a randomised trial, examining its selected patient population, length-of-stay findings and uncertainty, and asks whether an impulse to intervene is supported by evidence.
JC: IV Fluids for alcohol intoxication. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Can symptoms or clinical scores predict which adults with sore throat will develop complications? This 2013 journal club examines a large primary-care cohort, using rare outcomes to explain positive predictive value and to question assumptions behind antibiotic prescribing.
JC: The Trouble With Tonsils. St.Emlyn’s Read More
Could online estimates of pre-test probability help clinicians choose investigations for pulmonary embolism and acute coronary syndromes? This initial 2013 discussion examines a trial of web-based decision support, exploring radiation exposure, gaps in the calculator’s data and unanswered questions about diagnostic safety.
JC: I’ll just ask Dr Google..for some PE/ACS investigation advice @ St.Emlyn’s Read More
Should a displaced ankle fracture be X-rayed before reduction? This 2013 journal club challenges the conclusions of a retrospective study, exploring differences between patient groups, missing documentation and the limitations of repeat manipulation as an outcome before accepting a proposed change in practice.
JC. Should we X-ray before manipulating a displaced ankle fracture? St.Emlyn’s Read More
What did the original trial comparing temperature targets of 33°C and 36°C after out-of-hospital cardiac arrest establish? This 2013 appraisal explores sample size, uncertainty and the distinction between failing to detect a difference and demonstrating equivalence, placing the debate in its historical research context.
JC: What’s the target temperature for OOHCA cooling. St.Emlyn’s Read More
