What is the definition of best practices?
Practices/treatments/therapies based upon the best available evidence
What are the goals of best practices?
- Use of concepts, interventions and treatments known to promote higher quality of care
- Outcomes should be measureable
- Outcomes should be reproducible (from patient to patient)
- Dervice best practice from evidence based care
What is confirmation bias?
Interpretation of information in a way taht confirms our beliefs
What information must we communicate to the patient so they may make a decision abotu their treatment?
Evidence about a particular option
Treatment of choice based upon evidence
All evidence-based treatment alternatives
Risks of no treatment
What are some other aspects a patient may take into consideration when making a decision about treatment?
- Cost vs perceived benefit
- Pain
- Time lost from work
- Impact on self, family
- Insurance benefits
What is a randomized controlled trial?
Random allocation to receive intervention (investigational vs. placebo)
WWhat are cohort studies?
Follow patients who have received, or not received various interventions
What are case-controlled studies, case series/reports?
Observation of two populations/reports on specific patients treatment
What is the purpose of systematic reviews of randomized controlled trials?
Provides the highest levels of evidence
