title: Evidence-based decision making in action: Part 1--Finding the best clinical evidence.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to introduce evidence-based concepts and demonstrate how to find valid evidence to answer clinical questions. Evidence-based decision making (EBDM) requires understanding new concepts and developing new skills including how to: ask good clinical questions, conduct a computerized search, critically appraise the evidence, apply the results in clinical practice, and evaluate the process. This approach recognizes that clinicians can never be completely current with all conditions, medications, materials, or available products. Thus EBDM provides a mechanism for addressing these gaps in knowledge in order to provide the best care possible. In Part 1, a case scenario demonstrates the application of the skills involved in structuring a clinical question and conducting an online search using PubMed. Practice tips are provided along with online resources related to the evidence-based process.
authors.affiliation: National Center for Dental Hygiene Research at the University of Southern California School of Dentistry, Los Angeles, CA, USA. jforrest@hsc.usc.edu
authors.forename: Jane L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Forrest
authors.forename: Syrene A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Miller
mesh_terms: D003657:Decision Making; D003729:Dental Care / Q000592:standards*; D018865:Dental Research / Q000592:standards; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval / Q000379:methods*; D016239:MEDLINE; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010506:Periodicals as Topic / Q000592:standards; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D019239:Practice Patterns, Dentists'; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013358:Subject Headings