Unit 1: Levels of Evidence Flashcards
Evidence
Clinically relevant research that has been conducted using sound methodology (the best available)
Types of Evidence
- Case Reports
- Practice Guidelines
- Data Sources
- Cohort Studies
- Validation Studies
- Systematic Reviews
- Meta Analysis
- Expert Opinions
- Comparative Studies
- Randomized Controlled Trials
Evidence is found in…
Research Literature
Pyramid of Evidence (Hierarchy of Evidence)
HIGHEST>LOWEST Reliability and Quality
- Systemic Review
- Critically Appraised Topics (Evidence Syntheses)
- Critically Appraised Individual Articles (Article Synopses)
- Randomized Control Trials
- Cohort Studies
- Case-Control Studies, Case-Series. Case Reports
- Background Information, Editorials, Expert Opinions
Case-Series. Case Reports
Observational and require the least rigorous methodology (lowest level in research studies and the most prevalent)
-Can be collective or one single case. These are descriptions of clinical cases.
Randomized Control Trials
Require the most rigorous methodology to eliminate bias (least prevalent with highest level of evidence)
Primary Sources
Publications that are written by the author. -First-person reports and are often referred to as original sources. The purpose of a primary source is to present new findings or discoveries about a topic, and to build or add new information to previous findings.
(can be quantitative, qualitative, or mixed method studies)
Secondary Sources
Seek to describe, review, or summarize the available information on a topic by gathering data from several primary resources. The author(s) of a review typically include the analysis of information they found as well, and are usually not involved in the original studies.
Systematic Review vs. ‘Review’
Systematic: Follows rigorous protocol and collects all known research
‘Review’: No protocol and Collection is based on authors preference
Qualitative Research
-Descriptive research
-Information expressed in words
-Subjective because it deals with personal reactions. opinions, and view points
-Data is collected in interviews or focus groups
-Lower Evidence
(Editorials and expert opinions)
Quantitative Research
-Information expressed in numerical data, statics or percentage
-Objective because it seeks a concrete objective answer to a set hypothesis using statistical analysis of collected data
-Higher Evidence
(randomized controlled trials: depend on eliminating bias and subjectivity)
Evidence Based Practice
Combination of information that enables us to work together to make the best use of knowledge.; Combines what we know from research, what we learned from clinical wisdom, and what we learned from the client and the client's family Systemic Approach to Practice -Best Evidence -Clinicians Experience -Patients Preferences and Values
When should Evidence Based Practice be used?
To alter care according to research
Science is…
A systematic approach to knowing and understanding the world around us.
- Collecting information about phenomena in an area
- Building a reliable base of information in an area
- Developing theories to explain phenomena
Information acquired via research is:
- Identifying a problem to study
- Developing hypotheses
- Conducting research and analyzing results
- Disseminating results
A scientist is someone who:
- Adopts scientific methods to acquire information
- Engages in a wide range of activities
- Works in a variety of settings
Science is a way of thinking that involves:
- Carefully defining a problem
- Seeking out relevant information
- Rigorously testing hypotheses
As a clinician you are a scientist…
You are using evidence to carefully define a problem (diagnoses), seeking relevant information to provide treatment, collecting data on the effectiveness of your treatment, and adjusting as necessary.
How Do Scientists Do Science?
As a scientist you will identify variables to examine if there are relationships between the variables, or you will conduct controlled experiments to look for causal connections among variables.
(ex. Does a constraint-induced motor therapy improve the function of an upper limb that has hemiparesis?)
Categories of Basic Research
There are two main categories of research: basic research and applied research. Basic research seeks information to know something. It does not seek to solve a problem or understand how to apply something clinically. It is knowledge for the sake of knowledge.
Basic and Applied Research
The goal of applied research is to evaluate real-world problems. Our clinical research is rooted in applied research principles. Applied research evaluates real problems. Hypotheses may come from theory, but the goal of applied research is to apply results to real-world problems. There is substantial overlap between basic and applied research, and each type of research has implications for the other.
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
The integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.
Best Research Evidence (EBM)
Clinically relevant research; Often from the basic sciences of medicine, but especially from patient-centered clinical research—into the accuracy and precision of diagnostic tests/clinical examination, prognostic markers, and the efficacy and safety of therapeutic, rehabilitative, and preventive regimens.
Clinical Expertise (EBM)
Uses clinical skills and past experience to identify a patient’s unique health state and diagnosis, individual risks and benefits of potential interventions, and personal values and expectations.
-Includes our education, thoughtfulness, and compassion as well as our knowledge of effectiveness and efficiency. (before 1970s, we relied on older, wiser colleagues, but these sources of information can be flawed)
Patient Values (EBM)
The unique preferences, concerns and expectations each patient brings to a clinical encounter that must be integrated into clinical decisions. You must take into account the practice context in which you work.
You must use clinical reasoning to integrate information from the four sources:
Clinical Expertise, Research Evidence, Information from the Practice Context, and the Client’s Values and Circumstances.
The purpose of EBP is to…
Assist in clinical decision making; To make informed clinical decisions, you must integrate several pieces of info. You may be good at seeking information from clients, their families, and from your work settings, but you may not be aware of the research information. The evidence you need is evidence from research. You have research for testing theories and providing you with the background information that forms part of your clinical knowledge. That information may come from anatomy, physiology, psychology, or the social structure and is essential to our work and has been refined over many years through research. Having an understanding of the mechanisms is important.
EBP aims to provide… (Why is EBP Important?)
The most effective care available with the aim of improving client outcomes.
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EBP promotes an… (Why is EBP Important?)
Attitude of inquiry that encourages you to ask yourself, “Why am I doing this in this way? Is there evidence that can guide me in a more effective way?”
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EBP encourages… (Why is EBP Important?)
Professional accountability when you integrate the best available evidence with information from your clinical knowledge, clients, and practice context. The reasoning behind your clinical decisions becomes apparent.
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EBP ensures that… (Why is EBP Important?)
Health care resources are used wisely and relevant evidence is considered when decisions are made about funding health services.