Showing papers by "Ellen Fineout-Overholt published in 2002"

Users' Guides to the Medical Literature

Abstract: Guyatt G, Rennie D, editors and The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group. Users' guides to the medical literature. A manual for evidence-based clinical practice. Chicago: AMA Press, 2002 The JAMA series on how to use the medical literature has been expanded and put into book and CD-ROM format. The Evidence-Based Medicine Working Group along with editors Gordon Guyatt and Drummond Rennie have provided practitioners with a valuable resource for evaluating evidence relevant to their practice. The authors of this “how to” book have made certain that it includes challenges to all levels of users of evidence, from beginners to experts. The material is presented in 3 formats: a 700 page manual for evidence-based practice (EBP) (Manual) that is thorough and comprehensive; a 440 page pocket version of the essentials of EBP (Essentials) that provides an indepth discussion of the basics; and a hyperlinked CD-ROM that contains the contents of the Manual and is included with both hardcopy versions. The Essentials book is small enough to keep in a large pocket, although the print is small and may be difficult for really tired eyes to read. The Manual …

Key steps in implementing evidence-based practice: asking compelling, searchable questions and searching for the best evidence.

Abstract: From the searches presented, it can be seen that there are times when scientific studies will not be available to answer burning clinical questions. If systematic reviews, evidence-based guidelines, and individual studies are not available, clinicians must then turn to expert anecdotal evidence to guide their decision-making process and interventions. As further randomized controlled trials are conducted to evaluate nursing interventions, more scientific evidence will become available to guide nursing practice. However, it is important to remember that EBP not only encompasses evidence from research and its appraisal, but also includes patient preferences and expertise by the clinician. Because a meta-analysis indicated that patients had 28% better outcomes when nursing interventions were based on scientific evidence rather than interventions that were steeped in tradition (Heater, Becker, & Olson, 1988), it is essential that nurse practitioners and nurses have the appropriate knowledge and skills to translate evidence from research into practice. Asking searchable questions and knowing how to search for and find the best evidence are two key steps in delivering the highest quality of evidence-based nursing care to patients and their families.