Introduction
Evidence based medicine is based on the guidelines of applying the appropriate and efficient evidence attained from various scientific methods of decision making in clinics. Evidence quality, which is incorporated in evidence based practices, is composed of meta-analyses as well as systematic reviews. Individual factors such as value of life and quality are critical in defining the various aspects of health care.
Study designs of Evidence based medicine
Techniques incorporated in evidence based medicine are of a wide range. They range from the various departments that include: engineering, science and statistics. The study design has a crucial role to play on the trustworthiness of the results achieved as well as the level of evidence it can portray. Time to time different entities have invented systems for categorizing scientific evidence according to the strength and weakness of the different study design.
- Numbers needed to treat (NNT). The number needed to treat (NNT) is equated as having utility only if the evidence on which it is founded satisfies the criteria of size, quality and validity. In terms of Prophylaxis, fewer events take place in the treated group. In addition the absolute value of NNT cannot be depended upon in valuing the effectiveness of something.
- The quality adjusted life year (QALYs). The quality adjusted life year on the other hand incorporates the quality as well as the quantity of life that has resulted from healthcare interventions. A common currency of assessing the benefits achieved from the various health linked to quality of life interventions, are provided by QALY. However, QUALYs has been ruled out as imperfect in terms of measuring the outcome. The shortcomings are attributed to methodological as well as technical shortcomings.
- Meta-analysis. Meta-analysis is best incorporated in difficult practices that aim to achieve effective research. It is regarded for the role it plays in detecting of minuet clinical effects as well as precision estimates of the size of effects that have been identified.
- Systematic reviews. In systematic reviews, is regarded as a literature review that is aimed at a particular research question that tries to pin point as well as synthesize high levels of research quality evidence that are appropriate to the question at hand. Professionals involved in healthcare have no alternative but to understand the systematic reviews as well as know how to implement them.
- Critical appraisal. Critical appraisal is identified as a clinical practice process that is based on the evidence-based concept. It is characterized by decision making concepts where the clinician makes use of the most suitable evidence available in deciding the appropriate option for the patient after consultation with him or her. Although critical appraisal is regarded as time-consuming in its initial process, in its last stages it tends to be automatic
Conclusion
Identifying, interpreting and application of information from meta-analyses or systematic reviews, to a clinical practice are vital in evidence based practice. Various researchers are supposed to be equipped with ready access to the current research in terms of clinical practice in order to assess sectors that need more investigation. Over the years, various guides have been published not only to help the researchers but also the readers in digesting the information attained in studies founded on Evidence-Based practice. Study designs also provide critical information that is vital for clinical decision making as they are used in treatment and preventive measures.