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Hi Kumara and the rest of the list serve, I think that we ought to be thinking about this a bit differently and see that the USER mode is not exclusive to searching only. We can look at the practices of most physicians and see the modes that they are practicing in during routine medical practice. The user mode is how EBM would be used practically for patient care "AT THE POINT OF CARE". However, USERS will still be reading journals on a regular basis and some of the articles in them are not particularly valid. This requires some critical appraisal skills, but not the full EBM process. The EBM process is a paradigm that can support all levels of EBM practice. Asking: Determining the educational need in patient care or for life long learning also known as "reflective practice" Acquiring: Use of informatics to find the best evidence using the Haynes 5S pyramid, which can be preappraised sources or primary research literature. Appraising: For studies in journals read on a regular basis to be a lifelong learner. Also, for studies that are being appraised to become CATs or Evidence Based Journal entries or as part of meta-analyses, etc. for the DOERS. Applying: Using clinical expertise to determine the applicability of evidence (obtained from studies either as a USER or DOER) to an individual patient. Also as part of the Knowledge Translation process to apply the best evidence to routine care of patient populations. Assessment: Determining if the evidence is being used in a particular clinical setting (departmental or organizational QI directors) or determining ways to improve uptake of best evidence as part of the Knowledge Transfer process. I suppose the REPLICATORS are the only ones who dont need any of these skills, putting them in the category of older physicians who were in practice before EBM skills became commonly taught in medical training. A recent study of resident wishes by Akl et al (Medical Teacher, 28: 192, 2006) came to the conclusion that residents (at the University of Buffalo) preferred to be taught the full EBM process to use for future EBM practice. It seems that we can create a theoretical framework to justify teaching all parts of the EBM process from undergraduate to graduate to professional medical education. As far as a tool to measure ability to find evidence, I think that the 5S pyramid ought to be able to be turned into such an instrument and I would be glad to help any other members of the list serve create and test such an instrument. Hope this all helps, Best wishes, Dan **************************************************************************** Dan Mayer, MD Professor of Emergency Medicine Albany Medical College 47 New Scotland Ave. Albany, NY, 12208 Ph; 518-262-6180 FAX; 518-262-5029 E-mail; [log in to unmask] **************************************************************************** >>> K Mendis <[log in to unmask]> 07/08/07 5:08 PM >>> Dear all, EBM is a multistep process and not all doctors want or need to learn how to practice all five steps of EBM - (1) asking, (2) acquiring, (3) appraising, (4) applying, (5) assessing (BMJ 2004;329:1029-1032). 'Clinicians can incorporate evidence into their practices in 3 ways. First is the "doing" mode, in which at least the first 4 steps are carried out before an intervention is offered. Second is the "using" mode, in which searches are restricted to evidence sources that have already undergone critical appraisal by others, such as evidence-based guidelines or evidence summaries (thus skipping step 3). Third is the "replicating" mode, in which the decisions of respected opinion leaders are followed (abandoning at least steps 2 and 3). Of course, even clinicians trained to the "doing" level move back and forth between these modes, typically depending on whether they are dealing with clinical problems they encounter frequently or only rarely'.(CMAJ 2000; 163 (7)) My questions are: a) If doctors practice in the "USER" mode - is that sufficient to agree that they practice EBM? b) Are there validated instruments that can be used to evaluate EBM in USER mode? Especially web-based tools? (I am aware of two validated questionnaires - Fresno and Berlin that encompass the five steps.) Thanks in advance Kumara ------------------------------------------------------------------- Dr. Kumara Mendis MBBS, MSc (Medical Informatics), MD (Family Medicine) Senior Lecturer School of Rural Health University of Sydney Tel: +61 02 6885 7996 Mob:+61 0408 975 784 ---------------------------------------------------------------------------- ---------------- ----------------------------------------- CONFIDENTIALITY NOTICE: This email and any attachments may contain confidential information that is protected by law and is for the sole use of the individuals or entities to which it is addressed. If you are not the intended recipient, please notify the sender by replying to this email and destroying all copies of the communication and attachments. Further use, disclosure, copying, distribution of, or reliance upon the contents of this email and attachments is strictly prohibited. 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