Critically Appraised Topics: Difference between revisions
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1. Developing a well-built question<br>2. Search for and select best evidence<br>3. Analyse the evidence - '''Write CAT'''<br>4. Apply the evidence to the clinical situation<br>5. Evaluating the application of the evidence - '''Revise CAT'''<br>6. Disseminating the findings - '''Share CAT'''<br> | 1. Developing a well-built question<br>2. Search for and select best evidence<br>3. Analyse the evidence - '''Write CAT'''<br>4. Apply the evidence to the clinical situation<br>5. Evaluating the application of the evidence - '''Revise CAT'''<br>6. Disseminating the findings - '''Share CAT'''<br> | ||
== How to Construct a CAT<br> == | == How to Construct a CAT<br> == | ||
#Identify gaps in knowledge (“knowledge needs”) from client encounters | |||
#Translate the problem into an answerable question | |||
#Formulate a well-built question using the [[PICO Questions|PICO framework]] | |||
#Search for the [[Find_the_best_available_evidence|best available evidence]]<br> | |||
#Examine and critically appraise the evidence<br> | |||
#Write the CAT<br> | |||
#Share the CAT here on Physiopedia<br> | |||
== Other CAT formats and approaches == | |||
There are other different purposes of producing CATs which include: | |||
*Answer explicit clinical question from real clinical situation. This is the essence of EBP. | |||
*Appraise a recently published article that is important; or summarize an article used to provide evidence as part of a guideline |
Revision as of 18:53, 16 March 2011
What is a Critically Appraised Topic (CAT)
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A critically appraised topic (or CAT) is a short summary of evidence on a topic of interest, usually focussed around a clinical question. Defined as a brief “summary of a search and critical appraisal of the literature related to a focused clinical question, which should be kept in an easily accessible place so that it can be used to help make clinical decisions”[1].
A CAT is like a shorter and less rigorous version of a systematic review, summarising the best available research evidence on a topic. Usually more than one study is included in a CAT. When professionals summarise a single study, the outcome is a critically appraised paper (or CAP). CATs and CAPs are one way for busy clinicians to collate and share their appraisals.
Key parts of a CAT include:
- Purpose
- Reviewer
- Date of completion
- Well-built questions
- Search strategies and results
- Evidence retrieved
- Appraisal
- Conclusions
Why do we need CATs
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It is almost impossible for practitioners to keep up to date with all the new evidence for their field of clinical expertise. Research shows that even seasoned health-care clinicians and practitioners encounter up to 5 “knowledge needs” for every in-patient, and about 2 “needs” for every three out-patients (Sauvé, 1995). “Knowledge needs” raise questions about the best course of action. Evidence-based decision making in clinical scenarios demands time-efficient, up-to-date evidence review. Critically appraised summaries of the best evidence for common clinical or educational questions address these needs. “Gold standard” would be a systematic review, but this takes too much time and effort and is not practicable for clinicians (Ziegler et al., 2001).
CATs as part of the EBP process[edit | edit source]
1. Developing a well-built question
2. Search for and select best evidence
3. Analyse the evidence - Write CAT
4. Apply the evidence to the clinical situation
5. Evaluating the application of the evidence - Revise CAT
6. Disseminating the findings - Share CAT
How to Construct a CAT
[edit | edit source]
- Identify gaps in knowledge (“knowledge needs”) from client encounters
- Translate the problem into an answerable question
- Formulate a well-built question using the PICO framework
- Search for the best available evidence
- Examine and critically appraise the evidence
- Write the CAT
- Share the CAT here on Physiopedia
Other CAT formats and approaches[edit | edit source]
There are other different purposes of producing CATs which include:
- Answer explicit clinical question from real clinical situation. This is the essence of EBP.
- Appraise a recently published article that is important; or summarize an article used to provide evidence as part of a guideline
- ↑ Centre for Evidence Based Emergency Medicine, http://www.ebem.org/definitions.html#Critically%20appraised%20topic last accessed 21st March 2011