Using preappraised evidence sources to guide practice decisions

Abstract

The purpose of this article is two-fold. The first is to describe preappraised evidence sources or a top-down approach to obtaining the best available evidence. The second purpose of the article is to describe how to incorporate preappraised evidence into clinical decision making with the Best Practice Decision Guide. The Best Practice Decision Guide begins with a query of preappraised and filtered electronic sources to obtain recommended evidence summaries, or a so-called "top-down" approach to obtaining the best available evidence. Information on the major issues and dilemmas encountered at each step is presented, including evaluation of clinical practice guidelines and the consideration of relevant studies to particular patients or subpopulations. Recommendations for other resources to use in the appraisal process and in making final practice decision are also described in the article.