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Clinical Evidence: a useful tool for promoting evidence-based practice?
Giulio Formoso1, Lorenzo Moja, Francesco Nonino
1Centro per la Valutazione della Efficacia della Assistenza Sanitaria (CeVEAS), Modena, Italy. g.formoso@ausl.mo.it
BMC Health Services Research
|December 25, 2003
Summary
Italian doctors found the translated Clinical Evidence (CE) valid and useful for practice, preferring it over rigid guidelines. This evidence-based compendium fostered clinician communication and informed clinical decisions.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Evidence-Based Medicine
- Healthcare Management
Background:
- Healthcare professionals often prefer comprehensive information for decision-making over prescriptive guidelines.
- The Italian Ministry of Health distributed a translated version of Clinical Evidence (CE).
- This study evaluated physicians' perceptions of the translated CE's utility.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess doctors' judgment of the validity, relevance, clarity, and usability of the Italian translation of Clinical Evidence (CE).
- To understand physician preferences regarding evidence-based information versus practice guidelines.
Main Methods:
- A standardized questionnaire was used to collect physician opinions.
- Questionnaires were distributed via mail and during professional meetings.
- Physician feedback was gathered on the translated Clinical Evidence (CE).
Main Results:
- 20% of doctors (n=1350) participated; most found CE valid, useful, and relevant.
- CE was perceived to foster communication between general practitioners (GPs) and specialists.
- 29% reported changes in clinical practice; doctors preferred CE's compendium format over guidelines.
Conclusions:
- The pilot distribution of translated Clinical Evidence (CE) in Italy was well-received.
- The initiative supports making the concise Italian CE available to all physicians.
- Local implementation strategies are recommended to encourage physician adoption of CE.