Evidence Based Practice is the integration of clinical expertise, patient values and the best available evidence into the decision making process for patient care.
(Sackett, D.L., et al. (2000). Evidence-based medicine: How to practice and teach EBM (2nd ed.). Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone).
"When using this model to guide clinical decision making, begin your search at the highest possible layer in the 6S model" DiCenso, A,, Bayley, L., & Haynes, R.B. 2009. Accessing pre-appraised evidence
Hierarchy of Studies adapted from Duke University Medical Center Library
"Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically examining research to judge its trustworthiness, and its value and relevance in a particular context."
CASP http://www.healthknowledge.org.uk/interactive-learning/fae/overall-intro-to-critical-appraisal
The following resources will help you:
Critically Appraising Evidence for Healthcare JBI eBook
Synthesizing Quantitative Evidence JBI eBook
Practice Guidelines
Practice Guideline Critical Appraisal Worksheet - Duke University
Systematic Reviews
Inclusion Criteria McMaster University guide to inclusion criteria for systematic reviews.
Anatomy of a Systematic Review National Collaborating Centre for Methods and Tools (Canada)
CASP critical appraisal of Systematic Reviews
Systematic Review (of Therapy) worksheet CEBM Toronto
Systematic Review Critical Appraisal Duke University
Randomised Controlled Trials
CASP critical appraisal of RCTs
Therapy
FRISBE for critical appraisal of therapy studies. Duke University
Therapy worksheet CEBM Toronto
Therapy Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Diagnosis
Evidence-based Medicine: Answering questions of diagnosis Clin Med Res 2004. 2(1):63-9.
An introduction to critical appraisal of articles of diagnosis J Am Osteopath Assoc 2007.107(8):304-9
Diagnosis Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Diagnosis worksheet CEBM Toronto
Stats Calculator CEBM Toronto
How to calculate Likelihood Ratios CEBM Toronto
Diagnostic Test Calculator Alan Schwartz, University of Illinois, Chicago.
Synthesizing Evidence of Diagnostic Accuracy JBI eBook
Prognosis
Prognosis Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Prognosis worksheet CEBM University of Toronto
Harm
Harm worksheet CEBM University of Toronto
Harm Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Synthesizing Evidence of Risk JBI eBook
Differential Diagnosis
Differential Diagnosis Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Economic Evaluation
CASP critical appraisal of economic evaluations
Synthesizing Economic Evidence JBI eBook
Qualitative Studies
Qualitative Study Critical Appraisal Worksheet Duke University
Qualitative Research in Health Care A. Are the Results of the Study Valid? JAMA. 2000 Jul 19;284(3):357-362.
Qualitative Research in Health Care B. What Are the Results and How Do They Help Me Care for My Patients? JAMA. 2000 Jul 26;284(4):478-482.
Synthesizing Qualitative Evidence JBI eBook
Synthesizing Evidence from Narrative, Text and Opinion JBI eBook
Quality Improvement
How to Use an Article About Quality Improvement. JAMA 2010;304 2279-2287
More...
Appraise the evidence UWA Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
Apply the evidence UWA Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry & Health Sciences
Knowledge Translation in Healthcare JBI eBook
Public Engagement in Translating Knowledge to Action JBI eBook
Translation Science and the JBI Model of Evidence Based Healthcare JBI eBook
When searching for conference proceedings try a search using the complete conference title, or a few keywords with the location and year of the conference. You can also search for a specific conference paper if you have its title or author's name.
Most library databases provide the facility to limit by Publication or Document Type, which will allow you to narrow your search to conference papers or proceedings. Look for document types such as Conference Paper, Conference Proceeding, Conference Abstract, Meeting Abstract etc.
Searching the Library databases:
Many library databases index published conference papers and proceedings. Some key multidisclipinary databases that index conference papers/proceedings are listed below:
Other sources:
Many conference proceedings are not indexed in the Library catalogue or databases, but may be freely available, and can be found through a search on Google Scholar.
Unpublished conference papers or proceedings are more difficult to track down. Often the title, author and abstract will be listed in a 'Book of abstracts' included as a supplement of a journal issue, but these don't point you to the full text.
Unpublished papers from a conference may be made freely available on the website of the host organisation, or distributed to attendees only. Some authors make their work available on their own website or via their institution's repository, or you may need to contact the author to request a copy of their paper.
“There are many definitions of grey literature, but it is usually taken to mean literature that is not formally published in sources such as books or journal articles.” Cochrane Handbook - 6.2.1.8 Grey literature databases.
Formats include: