Objective To evaluate the quality of Chinese clinical practice guidelines published in domestic medical journals in 2011. Methods The following 4 Chinese databases including WanFang Data, VIP, CNKI and CBM were searched from January 2011 to December 2011. The quality of included guidelines was assessed by using AGREE II. Results A total of 75 guidelines published in 2011 were included. Among them, 10 guidelines (13%) stated the conflict of interest, 10 guidelines (13%) mentioned evidence-based developing, 5 guidelines (7%) performed evidence grading system, 8 guidelines (11%) performed recommendation strength grading system, and 4 guidelines (5%) performed both evidence and recommendation strength grading systems. The ratio of the 6 domains’ scores of AGREEⅡ were as follows: scope and purpose (18%), stakeholder involvement (11%), rigour of development (8%), clarity of presentation (34%), applicability (5%), and editorial independence (14%). Conclusion Compared with the guidelines published before, the guidelines of 2011 have a higher quality and some of them are progressively standardized in developing methodology.
To help better understanding on evidence-based medicine, five frequently asked questions relevant to evidence-based clinical practice were commented on. The questions included: 1. Dose evidence-based medicine only emphasize evidence and ignore clinical experiences? 2. Dose evidence only include randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews? 3. How to face the quality of evidence? 4. Is randomized evidence suitable for treating individual patient? 5. Is evidence-based medicine useless since there is no adequate evidence for many clinical questions?
Hot flashes are a common syndrome in postmenopausal women. The treatment is complex and different for specific patients. A clinical case and hormonal replacement therapy selection are provided to show evidence-based practice in this field.
Objects The center of Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) in China has organized several extra-curricular trainings in summer vacations for medical students, so as to enable them get involved in the practice of Evidence Based Medicine, we were wondering whether these training courses served as an effective supplement to EBM education in class and what it exactly brought to us, with a primary concern about research capability in field of EBM. Methods We conducted questionnaire survey with undergraduate students whose enrolling years range from 2001 to 2005 in West China Medical School of Sichuan University, and divided them into a stratification of five groups according to enrolling years. Then we paired the trained students with untrained ones at a ratio of 1׃2. The final number of included students was 216, of which 72 had been trained while other 144 had not. Epidata 3.0, Excel and SPSS 13.0 were used for data collecting and analyzing, respectively. Chi-square test was adopted for result interpretation. Results Compared to those without training experience, trained students were prone to choose medical specialized databases (Plt;0.05) when they search for some academic publications. In terms of selecting and quality evaluation, the trained were more dependent on systematic reviews (Plt;0.05). Meanwhile, they also showed critical thinking more than that of untrained (Plt;0.05). In addition, the fruit of published theses was in favor of those trained ones. Conclusions Those who have taken part in extra-curricular training of EBM surpass those untrained in ability of scientific research. To some extent, we are still in shortage of educational resources; this extra-curricular training course can play a complementary role for EBM education, as effective and necessary.
Objective To provide a reference for the best evidence-based medicine (EBM) education modelby retrospective analysis and summary the EBM education model of the EBM center of Lanzhou University for medicalpostgraduates. Methods To utilize students’ spare time we changed the traditional teaching method, and instead used problem based learning and academic discussions to teach postgraduates how to design and apply research. Results Sixtytwo postgraduates were trained and completed 73 research papers and registered 33 Cochrane systematic reviews. Twentythree papers were published in foreign journals (SCI) as first authors, 34 papers were published in domestic journals. Five students received awards in the academic conference of Lanzhou University. Conclusion Medical students will benefit from taking part in EBM research. This education model will help them not only understand the methods of clinical research and EBM and improve the quality of their research and their cooperative skills, but also master related clinical knowledge.
Objective To explore the research progress of the multimodal clinical support system (CSS). Methods With recognized development and operation of the multi-model CSS, and compared to the traditional CSS, to explore the research progress of the multimodal CSS. Results Based on the realization of the concept, purpose and characteristics of the multimodal CSS, it has been known that the international research progress of the multimodal CSS. Conclusion The developing and evolving of the CSS model have offered a new assist to the multi-disciplinary treatment model, and have enhanced the improving system associated with the practice of evidence-based medicine. However, the application of clinical support system program (CSSP) in our country still needs more research.
Umbrella review is a third study conducted through evidence synthesis method, based on the secondary studies including systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Although it has been widely used abroad, further understanding, recommendation and application of this type of method are still limited in China. We introduced the definition, objective, present application, the similarities and differences with systematic reviews or meta-analyses, indications, limitations, and research progress of umbrella review in the research area of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), aiming to benefit future clinical research and treatment in practice.