"There is nothing like looking, if you want to find something" - asking questions and searching for answers - the evidence based approach.
Evidence based medicine (EBM) consists of four separate processes. Asking a clinical question Locating the evidence Appraising and synthesizing the evidence Applying the evidence Most people are familiar with the third step but not so familiar with the first two. Well-designed clinical questions can help clarify in a clinicians mind exactly what information is being sought and also help with the search. This clinical question can be framed around the PICO format. With a well-structured PICO information can then be located in a timely manner using the concept of Haynes's 5 S's and a range of websites including trial registers and meta-search engines.
Haroon
Munib
M
Consultant Community Paediatrician, Childrens Services, Leicester City PCT, Thurmaston, Leicester LE4 8PQ, UK. Munib.haroon@leicestercity.nhs.uk
Phillips
Robert
R
D000004:Abbreviations as Topic; D019985:Benchmarking; D003200:Computer User Training; D003627:Data Interpretation, Statistical; D019992:Databases as Topic / Q000458:organization & administration; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet / Q000458:organization & administration; D017146:Models, Organizational; D010372:Pediatrics; D039781:PubMed / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D057386:Search Engine / Q000379:methods*