Overview
Essential Evidence-Based Medicine teaches the principles of research study methodology and design so that the reader can become better at critically analysing scientific and clinical studies. It describes the basic elements needed to understand biostatistics and epidemiology as applied to health care studies, and how to become a more discriminating reader of the medical literature by adopting the skills of critical appraisal. This new edition is extensively edited and updated, and includes two entirely new chapters on critical appraisal of qualitative research and communicating risks and evidence to patients. The text is geared towards the new learner, and assumes little clinical experience, starting with the basic principles of critical appraisal. A CD-ROM accompanies the book to enable students to test their learning through a series of questions, with answers provided. This is an ideal introductory text for medical students, health sciences students and a wide range of other healthcare professionals.Synopsis
Teaches the principles of research study methodology and design, and the better critical analysis of scientific and clinical studies.
Editorials
From The Critics
Reviewer: Vincent F Carr, DO, MSA, FACC, FACP(Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences)Description: This book on evidence-based medicine was developed in association with a course at the Albany Medical College for their longitudinal Comprehensive Care Case Study. The first edition was published in 2004.
Purpose: The mission of the Albany Medical College was to teach students how to become lifelong learners, and the goal of this book is to equip physicians to become critical consumers of medical literature. This is a most noble goal considering the fast pace of change in medicine.
Audience: This is a book that every clinician can use in this era of the proliferation of the phrase "evidence-based." It explains it and puts it in perspective.
Features: The acquisition of this skill must begin as medical students, honed through the residency years to become a habit by the time they become attending physicians. While there are some statistics in the book, these are presented extremely well so that they are not an impediment to success. The chapters are divided according to basic concepts — definitions of evidence-based medicine, study design, measurements, the concept of bias, and types of errors and scientific integrity. The book then moves into the use of diagnostic tests, practice guidelines, and meta-analysis. Topics are covered well, and compared to most statistics books, this one is a very easy read. An accompanying CD-ROM has exercises to reinforce what readers find in the book. It is well done, particularly with the calculators readily available for users.
Assessment: This is the best book on evidence-based medicine and the foundations for the evidence that I have ever come across. It is very easy to read, and each chapter can be read as a standalone explanation of a particular concept. I highly recommend this for the personal libraries of students, residents, and attending physicians.
From the Publisher
'This is the best book on evidence-based medicine and the foundations for the evidence that I have ever come across. It is very easy to read, and each chapter can be read as a standalone explanation of a particular concept. I highly recommend this for the personal libraries of students, residents and attending physicians.' Doody's Book ReviewsBook Details
Published
December 1, 2009
Publisher
Cambridge University Press
Pages
440
Format
Other Format
ISBN
9780521712415