Elaboration and formalization of current scientific knowledge of risks and preventive measures illustrated by colorectal cancer.
OBJECTIVE
Present the method used to elaborate and formalize current scientific knowledge to provide physicians with tools available on the Internet, that enable them to evaluate individual patient risk, give personalized preventive recommendations or early screening measures.


METHODS
The approach suggested in this article is in line with medical procedures based on levels of evidence (Evidence-based Medicine). A cyclical process for developing recommendations allows us to quickly incorporate current scientific information. At each phase, the analysis is reevaluated by experts in the field collaborating on the project. The information is formalized through the use of levels of evidence and grades of recommendations. GLIF model is used to implement recommendations for clinical practice guidelines.


RESULTS
The most current scientific evidence incorporated in a cyclical process includes several steps: critical analysis according to the Evidence-based Medicine method; identification of predictive factors; setting-up risk levels; identification of prevention measures; elaboration of personalized recommendation. The information technology implementation of the clinical practice guideline enables physicians to quickly obtain personalized information for their patients. Cases of colorectal prevention illustrate our approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Integration of current scientific knowledge is an important process. The delay between the moment new information arrives and the moment the practitioner applies it, is thus reduced.
Giorgi
R
R
Laboratoire d'Enseignement et de Recherche sur le Traitement de l'Information Médicale (LERTIM), Faculté de Médecine, Université de la Méditerranée, Marseille, France. rgiorgi@mail.ap-hm.fr
Gouvernet
J
J
Dufour
J
J
Degoulet
P
P
Laugier
R
R
Quilichini
F
F
Fieschi
M
M
D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000517:prevention & control*; D003658:Decision Making, Computer-Assisted; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods*; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012984:Software