Reviewing the Literature – Made Easier

Ever since I was taught about evidence-based medicine as a resident, I’ve been trying to find a rapid method to evaluate the literature. During residency, we spent quite a lot of time analyzing various papers, but after starting practice, I found I had very little time and inclination to review articles in depth. Now that I’m a professor at WesternU, I have an even greater motivation to find an accessible method to rapidly evaluate the literature: my students. At the university, we emphasize strong reasoning and evaluation skills in addition to the core podiatric and medical knowledge. One of these skills is evaluating the literature. EBM is here, not going anywhere, and our next generation will be relying on the literature more than any of us currently in practice ever have.

Andrew Meyr, DPM has written an excellent, useful, and fascinating series of eZines published by PRESENT eLearning Systems called, PRESENT Journal Club. I’ve followed Dr Meyr’s writings and analysis, and it has sharpened my reading of the literature. I look at this eZine as covering the research literature at the point after I’ve decided to read an article in detail. What I had been looking for was a rapid way to digest the material and decide if I would further analyze the information.

	Tonight's Premier Lecture is Principles and Practice of Maggot Debridement Therapy by Ronald Sherman, MD

Then I found a series of articles in the Journal of the American Medical Association called “Users’ Guides to the Medical Literature.”²  This is a 25 section installment series that was begun in 1993 and covers a variety of topics.  The authors are quick to note that the series is intended solely as a guide to review the literature, rather than a “how to” on research methods.

Just what I was looking for! 

The topics are varied and include using articles on therapy, diagnostic testing, harm, prognosis, and many others.  They discuss clinical decision making, using clinical practice guidelines and systematic reviews, all the way through epidemiological concepts.  Compiled together, the series would make up a book.
Each guide is organized around three questions:²

1. Are the results of the study valid?
2. What are the results?
3. Will the results help me in caring for my patients?

These questions provide the doorway into efficiently reviewing the literature.  After reading through the first 10 or so guides (covering all the basics of the major types of studies) I have a rapid, high yield method to review the literature.  Staying current may not be easy, but these users’ guides make it easier. 

Keep writing in with your thoughts and comments. Better yet, post them in our eTalk forum. Best wishes.

Jarrod Shapiro, DPM
PRESENT Practice Perfect Editor
[email protected]

References:

GET IN ON THE DISCUSSION There are several eTalks topics taking place right now on PRESENT Podiatry. Get in on the discussion, or start one of your own.

Get a steady stream of all the NEW PRESENT Podiatry eLearning by becoming our Facebook Fan. Effective eLearning and a Colleague Network await you.

Grand Sponsor Major Sponsors