title: Evaluating treatment options for common bovine diseases using published data and clinical experience.
abstract: "In this article, the authors describe the sources used by clinicians to obtain information about the efficacy of treatments. The authors discuss how the potential for bias differs by information source and how the ability to assess bias differs by information source. The authors also discuss how the clinical setting and background are important to making decisions about treatments, but clinical impressions of efficacy can be biased. The role of cohort studies, clinical impressions, case reports, case series, pharmacokinetic studies, in vivo studies, narrative review, and opinion are also discussed."
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Medical Research Institute, College of Veterinary Medicine, Iowa State University, Building 4, Ames, IA 50010, USA.
authors.forename: Annette
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.affiliation: Veterinary Physiology and Pharmacology, Texas A&M University College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences, 4466 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-4466, USA. Electronic address: vfajt@cvm.tamu.edu.
authors.forename: Virginia
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Fajt
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002417:Cattle; D002418:Cattle Diseases / Q000628:therapy*; D003657:Decision Making; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic / Q000662:veterinary*
keywords: Clinical experience; Comparative efficacy; Effect size; Study design