Article type
Year
Abstract
Background: The complexity of modern practice requires health professionals to be active information-seekers. Evidence-based point-of-care (EBP) information summaries can connect clinicians with best practice strategies at the bedside to optimize patient care. This study is the 2014 update of a previous review that assessed the strength of these products.
Objective: To review EBP summaries against their claims of being “evidence-based,” and determine their progress.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Google, librarian association websites, and information conference proceedings from August 2012 to December 2014. We included online EBP summaries delivering literature syntheses that claim to be evidence-based. We extracted data on general characteristics and content presentation. We assessed products quantitatively according to breadth, editorial quality, and evidence-based methodology. We explored improvements in these dimensions and their relevant associations.
Results: We screened 58 online products: 26 met our inclusion criteria, 10 of which were newly identified in 2014. We were able to access 23 products. Most summaries were produced by major publishers in the USA, with a minority in Europe and none in developing- or low-income countries. No significant association between the pairs of variables was found. There were improvements in evidence-based methodology and breadth since 2009. The main target audience remained physicians, although several products targeted nurses, physiotherapists, emergency specialists, and pediatricians.
Conclusions: New EBP summaries are targeting specialized groups of health professionals, reflecting the strength of the existing market of point-of-care summaries for physicians. UptoDate, Best Practice, and Dynamed scored the highest across all dimensions, although other products excelled in one or two dimensions. Consumers should weigh their needs carefully when selecting a product for implementation. New generation EBP summaries aim to fulfill patient-specific needs by integration into Electronic Health Records, as well as providing an option for Continuing Medical Education to promote lifelong, self-directed learning.
Objective: To review EBP summaries against their claims of being “evidence-based,” and determine their progress.
Methods: We searched MEDLINE, Google, librarian association websites, and information conference proceedings from August 2012 to December 2014. We included online EBP summaries delivering literature syntheses that claim to be evidence-based. We extracted data on general characteristics and content presentation. We assessed products quantitatively according to breadth, editorial quality, and evidence-based methodology. We explored improvements in these dimensions and their relevant associations.
Results: We screened 58 online products: 26 met our inclusion criteria, 10 of which were newly identified in 2014. We were able to access 23 products. Most summaries were produced by major publishers in the USA, with a minority in Europe and none in developing- or low-income countries. No significant association between the pairs of variables was found. There were improvements in evidence-based methodology and breadth since 2009. The main target audience remained physicians, although several products targeted nurses, physiotherapists, emergency specialists, and pediatricians.
Conclusions: New EBP summaries are targeting specialized groups of health professionals, reflecting the strength of the existing market of point-of-care summaries for physicians. UptoDate, Best Practice, and Dynamed scored the highest across all dimensions, although other products excelled in one or two dimensions. Consumers should weigh their needs carefully when selecting a product for implementation. New generation EBP summaries aim to fulfill patient-specific needs by integration into Electronic Health Records, as well as providing an option for Continuing Medical Education to promote lifelong, self-directed learning.