Evidence-based medicine emphasizes that treatment must be based on the following elements ： the latest and best evidence, clinicians＇ expertise and patients＇ preference. Evidence-based medicine embodies the ethos both to explore medical science and to respect patients＇ values. Evidence-based medicine is an integration of the scientific and the humanistic spirit.
Objective To undertake a preliminary study of the concept and approach of patient value and preference and to learn how to understand and elicit patient preference in the light of evidence-based medicine so as to promote evidence-based practice and improve the relationship between clinicians and patients. Methods The searching key words were developed and pertinent data were retrospectively retrieved for the years of 1992-2002. MEDLINE and CBMdisc were searched along with handsearching 9 Chinese medical journals and 4 evidence-based medicine books. Data were scanned and analyzed. Results A total of 2 646 related articles were identified, most of which were found in MEDLINE (2 403), followed by CBMdisc (185) and the journals (58). Currently there is no original article to study in this field from a point of view of evidence-based medicine in China. Conclusion Patient value and preference have been emphasized in the approach of evidence-based medicine and it is a worthwhile topic for us to explore.
Objective We searched the Cochrane Library（Issue 3, 2005 ）to identity evidence related to palliative treatment. We found that Opioids are effective for the palliation of breathlessness in terminal illness. Oral Morphine and hydromorphone is effective for cancer pain. Radiotherapy and Bisphosphonates can relief pain secondary to bone metastases. Corticosteroids can resolve malignant bowel obstruction in advanced gynaecological and gastrointestinal cancer.
Objective To evaluate the quality of clinical studies on dentistry from the Chinese Journals. Methods Clinical studies in Chinese Journal of Conservative Dentistry of 2002 were searched. The quality of the clinical studies on assessment of treatments’ efficacy was evaluated. Results Among 204 related studies from 12 issues, there were 93 (45.58%) restrospective intervention studies, 6 randomized controlled blinded trials (2.94%), 42 randomized trials without blindness (20.58%), 20 controlled trials without randomization (9.80%) and 25 clinical observational studies (12.25%). The statistical analysis showed that 20 studies were with inappropriate methods. Conclusions It is necessary to improve the design and statistical analysis of clinical studies on stomatology in China to produce high-quality research evidence.
Objective To investigate the effect of training courses of evidence-based medicine (EBM) on the knowledge, skill, attitude and behavior of medical postgraduates and to explore the barriers to evidence-based practice (EBP), so as to provide knowledge to improve further EBM teaching and EBP. Methods A total of 110 medical postgraduates of Sichuan University who selected EBM courses in the autumn semester of 2004 were given questionnaires that combined both open and closed questions. The KAB (knowledge, attitude and behavior) of EBM and barriers to EBP were compared before and after the training courses. Results Differences were observed in KAB of EBM and barriers to EBP after the training courses, compared to the assessments done before the courses. In “Knowledge”: there was a significant increase in the understanding of specific terms in EBM after the training courses (75% of the items showed a statistically significant improvement). This was especially marked for “absolute risk”, “systematic review”, “meta-analysis” and “publication bias” (Plt;0.01). We also found an improvement in familiarity with medical search engines (Plt;0.05). In “Attitude”: the mean scores for most items (55%) were relatively high both before and after the training courses (gt;4), and a significant improvement was observed in 2 items. These were “Strong evidence is lacking to support most of the interventions I use with my patients” and “EBP needs to take into account patient preferences” (Plt;0.01). The mean scores of 2 items were relatively low both before and after the training courses (lt;3). These were “the adoption of EBP places an reasonable demand on physical therapists” and “EBP does not take into account the limitations of my clinical setting”. Another 2 items had mean scores close to 5: “I need to increase the use of evidence in my daily practice” and “I am interested in learning or improving the skills necessary to incorporate EBP into my practice”. In terms of “Behavior”: the medical postgraduates continued not to think highly of the use of literature after the training courses. About 60% of the postgraduates did not read any literature related to their specialties at all. Although searching of MEDLINE and other electronic databases was relatively frequent (gt;6 times/month: 60.3% before training and 65.7% after training), using professional literature and research findings in the process of clinical decision-making was not equal (gt;6 times/month: 29% before training and 35.1% after training). No significant difference was observed in applying clinical practice guidelines before and after the training courses. As for “Barriers”: the postgraduates considered “poor ability to critically appraise literature” as the most important barrier both before and after the training courses. The second and third most important barriers were different compared to after the training courses. The barrier of “lack of research skills” was larger than that of “lack of information resources” before the training courses, but after that the course, the order of these was reversed. Conclusion The knowledge of medical postgraduates increased significantly after the current training courses of EBM. Some improvement was also found in attitude and behavior. The top three barriers to EBP were “Poor ability to critically appraise literature”, “Lack of information resources”, and “Lack of research skills”
This paper tried to address how to apply the relative concepts and methods of evidence-based medicine in clinical practice of cardiology, especially in diagnosis and treatment, with an aim to promote the cardiovascular evidence-based medicine in China.
Medicine is a very important health resource in China. Although numerous efforts are paid to pre-marketed medicines, little is done to address practical problems in marketed medicines. The rational use and allocation of marketed medicines remain a major concern for decision-makers in China. It has been recognized that economic evaluation is an efficient tool for prioritizing the choice, and optimizing the use of medicines. This paper has explored the methods and principles for conducting economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Different strategies will be adopted for economic evidence for marketed medicines in terms of adequacy and sufficiency.However, a standard study pathway should be applied in economic evaluation of marketed medicines. Besides, the aspects for developing economic framework and the methods for reviewing existing economic evidence are also introduced in this paper, particularly, for marketed medicines within the same therapeutic group.