Healthy Skepticism Library item: 20393

Warning: This library includes all items relevant to health product marketing that we are aware of regardless of quality. Often we do not agree with all or part of the contents.

Publication type: Journal Article

Shaughnessy AF
Patient-Oriented Evidence That Matters: POEMS
EJHP 1997 Apr 15; 126:(8):667
http://www.google.com.au/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=1&ved=0CCcQFjAA&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.essentialevidenceplus.com%2Farticles%2FEJHP_Feb04p64.pdf&ei=bHh-UMetBI2zrAel54CABA&usg=AFQjCNHxJWkt04BVh5TJgARYiYn9ZjDd-w

Abstract:

Evidence-based practice is not
new. What has changed in the
past 10 or 15 years is what is
accepted as evidence. Textbooks, specialist
opinion, basic principles and personal
experience were once our most
important guides to practice. Now evidence
is graded according to its level of
authority (1) and we are urged to seek
and use the best available evidence.
Levels of evidence range from systematic
reviews of randomised controlled
trials (RCTs) as the gold standard
through individual RCTs, all or none
studies, cohort studies, case-control
studies, with expert opinion at the bottom
of the evidence hierarchy.