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Towards evidence-based medicine in cardiothoracic surgery: best BETS

Joel Dunning1, Brian Prendergast, Kevin Mackway-Jones

  • 1Department of Cardiothoracic Surgery, Manchester Royal Infirmary, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9WL, UK. joeldunning@doctors.org.uk

Interactive Cardiovascular and Thoracic Surgery
|August 3, 2007
PubMed

Insights

Cardiothoracic surgeons can now access Best Evidence Topics (BestBETs) for evidence-based answers to clinical questions. This approach ensures reliable information for best practice in cardiothoracic surgery.

Area of Science:

  • Cardiothoracic Surgery
  • Evidence-Based Medicine

Background:

  • Cardiothoracic surgeons face clinical dilemmas with no universally agreed answers.
  • Time constraints limit clinicians' ability to review all published research.
  • Existing evidence resources lack specific content for cardiothoracic surgeons.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To adapt the Best Evidence Topic (BestBET) approach for cardiothoracic surgery.
  • To provide robust, evidence-based answers to clinical questions in daily practice.

Main Methods:

  • Clinicians identify controversial clinical scenarios and formulate three-part questions.
  • Medline is searched for relevant papers, which are critically appraised.
  • A clinical bottom line is established, with validation by a second author and journal club.
  • BestBETs are posted online for commentary before publication.

Main Results:

  • A systematic method for generating evidence-based answers to clinical questions is established.
  • The process ensures rigorous appraisal and validation of evidence.
  • The resulting BestBETs offer practical guidance for cardiothoracic surgeons.

Conclusions:

  • The BestBET approach provides a reliable resource for cardiothoracic surgeons.
  • This method addresses the need for accessible, evidence-based information in daily practice.
  • Widespread commentary on published BestBETs enhances their utility and robustness.

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