Evidence Based Medicine: Library Resources

Lynn Kysh, MLISkysh@usc.edu

Information Services LibrarianNorris Medical Library

How to locate library EBM resourcesOverview of EBM practiceFormulate a searchable research questionReview the pyramid of EBM evidence

Learning Objectives

Norris Medical Library Website

Evidence-Based Medicine LibGuideYear II Student LibGuide

Library Resources

1. ASK. Create a searchable clinical question.

2. ACQUIRE information and evidence.

3. APPRAISE your results critically.

4. APPLY results to your patient.

5. ASSESS. Evaluate the effects of Step 4, reformulate and repeat process if necessary.

Steps of Evidence-Based Medicine

Problem/PatientInterventionComparisonOutcome

PICOAssists in formulating a searchable research question

Francine is a 78 yr old patient who is being treated for mild hypertension but is

otherwise healthy with no chronic diseases. She has very little sensation in her

lower legs due to poor circulation and walks with a cane. She lives alone and is

concerned about falling. Her son just read an article about Vitamin D and

calcium. He strongly urges her to start taking Vitamin D plus calcium because

the article said this could prevent accidental falls. She asks you if Vitamin D

plus calcium really helps to prevent falls. What does the evidence say?

Scenario

Problem/PatientInterventionComparisonOutcome

PICOAccidental falls in a 78 yr old woman Vitamin D plus calcium None Reduce the risk/prevention injury from falls

Does vitamin D with calcium prevent injuries from falls among elderly female patients?

Evidence Pyramid – Publication Types

Evidence-Based Guidelines

Systematic Review & Meta-

analysis

Randomized Controlled Trials

Cohort Studies

Case Control Studies

Case Series, Case Reports

S y n t he s e s

St

ud

ie

sHigher Quality of Information

Lower Quality of Information

Fewer Articles

More Articles

How to locate library EBM resourcesOverview of EBM practiceFormulate a searchable research questionReview the pyramid of EBM evidence

Learning Objectives

Lynn Kysh, MLISInformation Services Librarian

kysh@usc.edu(323) 442-1124

Questions?

Lynn Kysh, MLISInformation Services Librarian

kysh@usc.edu(323) 442-1124

Thanks!