Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: There is a lack of good-quality, empirical evidence in the field of pediatric surgery. Even when such evidence exists, it must be disseminated, accepted and applied in order to improve the care of pediatric surgical patients.
Objectives: Our objective is to encourage evidence-based practice and direct research efforts to areas where evidence is lacking in the field of pediatric general surgery. We will do this by establishing a regularly-updated resource summarizing the best available evidence in this field, accessible by medical students, residents, fellows, and surgeons worldwide through the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) website.
Methods: 1. Identify areas of controversy in the field of pediatric surgery using the Delphi method. 2. Conduct an extensive literature search for primary research and reviews in each identified area. 3. Summarize the available evidence for each area. 4. Classify the amount and quality of evidence for each area. 5. Suggest research topics where good evidence is sparse. 6. Regularly update the website as new evidence emerges. 7. Measure the impact.
Progress: Data collection began in November 2012. We have completed one topic and have begun gathering evidence for another. We will continue to cover topics, in an order determined by the average number of each type of surgery performed by residents each year (i.e., more common surgeries will be covered first). The website where we will present the evidence will be available to the public shortly as a link on the main page of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) website: http://www.caps.ca/.
Impact: This website will improve patient care by providing an up-to-date, evidence-based educational resource for students, residents, fellows and surgeons. It will also help to identify areas where further research is needed, facilitating the formation of good research questions and preventing duplication of research efforts.
Objectives: Our objective is to encourage evidence-based practice and direct research efforts to areas where evidence is lacking in the field of pediatric general surgery. We will do this by establishing a regularly-updated resource summarizing the best available evidence in this field, accessible by medical students, residents, fellows, and surgeons worldwide through the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) website.
Methods: 1. Identify areas of controversy in the field of pediatric surgery using the Delphi method. 2. Conduct an extensive literature search for primary research and reviews in each identified area. 3. Summarize the available evidence for each area. 4. Classify the amount and quality of evidence for each area. 5. Suggest research topics where good evidence is sparse. 6. Regularly update the website as new evidence emerges. 7. Measure the impact.
Progress: Data collection began in November 2012. We have completed one topic and have begun gathering evidence for another. We will continue to cover topics, in an order determined by the average number of each type of surgery performed by residents each year (i.e., more common surgeries will be covered first). The website where we will present the evidence will be available to the public shortly as a link on the main page of the Canadian Association of Pediatric Surgeons (CAPS) website: http://www.caps.ca/.
Impact: This website will improve patient care by providing an up-to-date, evidence-based educational resource for students, residents, fellows and surgeons. It will also help to identify areas where further research is needed, facilitating the formation of good research questions and preventing duplication of research efforts.