How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment

Introduction: Advances in treatment and disease prevention occur frequently in urology. Urologists must identify a framework within which to evaluate these therapeutic innovations. Materials and Methods: The evidence-based approach to critical appraisal is described using an example from the urolog...

Full description

Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Suzanne B Stewart, Phillip Dahm, Charles D Scales
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications 2011-01-01
Series:Indian Journal of Urology
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.indianjurol.com/article.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2011;volume=27;issue=4;spage=525;epage=531;aulast=Stewart
_version_ 1811192344122228736
author Suzanne B Stewart
Phillip Dahm
Charles D Scales
author_facet Suzanne B Stewart
Phillip Dahm
Charles D Scales
author_sort Suzanne B Stewart
collection DOAJ
description Introduction: Advances in treatment and disease prevention occur frequently in urology. Urologists must identify a framework within which to evaluate these therapeutic innovations. Materials and Methods: The evidence-based approach to critical appraisal is described using an example from the urological literature. A three-part assessment of the trial validity, treatment effect, and applicability of results will permit the urologist to critically incorporate medical and surgical advances into practice. Results: Validity of clinical trials hinges upon balancing patient prognosis at the initiation, execution, and conclusion of the trial. Readers should be aware of not only the magnitude of the estimated treatment effect, but also its precision. Finally, urologists should consider all patient-important outcomes as well as the balance of potential benefits, harms, and costs, and patient values and preferences when making treatment decisions. Conclusion: Use of this framework for critical appraisal will lead to a more evidence-based application of new therapies for patients. Incorporation of a more evidence-based practice within urology will lead to an increase in the quality of patient care.
first_indexed 2024-04-11T23:49:49Z
format Article
id doaj.art-77f1c1f2d0a4496f922ffe208c539898
institution Directory Open Access Journal
issn 0970-1591
1998-3824
language English
last_indexed 2024-04-11T23:49:49Z
publishDate 2011-01-01
publisher Wolters Kluwer Medknow Publications
record_format Article
series Indian Journal of Urology
spelling doaj.art-77f1c1f2d0a4496f922ffe208c5398982022-12-22T03:56:30ZengWolters Kluwer Medknow PublicationsIndian Journal of Urology0970-15911998-38242011-01-0127452553110.4103/0970-1591.91446How to appraise the effectiveness of treatmentSuzanne B StewartPhillip DahmCharles D ScalesIntroduction: Advances in treatment and disease prevention occur frequently in urology. Urologists must identify a framework within which to evaluate these therapeutic innovations. Materials and Methods: The evidence-based approach to critical appraisal is described using an example from the urological literature. A three-part assessment of the trial validity, treatment effect, and applicability of results will permit the urologist to critically incorporate medical and surgical advances into practice. Results: Validity of clinical trials hinges upon balancing patient prognosis at the initiation, execution, and conclusion of the trial. Readers should be aware of not only the magnitude of the estimated treatment effect, but also its precision. Finally, urologists should consider all patient-important outcomes as well as the balance of potential benefits, harms, and costs, and patient values and preferences when making treatment decisions. Conclusion: Use of this framework for critical appraisal will lead to a more evidence-based application of new therapies for patients. Incorporation of a more evidence-based practice within urology will lead to an increase in the quality of patient care.http://www.indianjurol.com/article.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2011;volume=27;issue=4;spage=525;epage=531;aulast=StewartDutasterideevidence-based medicinerandomized controlled trial
spellingShingle Suzanne B Stewart
Phillip Dahm
Charles D Scales
How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
Indian Journal of Urology
Dutasteride
evidence-based medicine
randomized controlled trial
title How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
title_full How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
title_fullStr How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
title_full_unstemmed How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
title_short How to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
title_sort how to appraise the effectiveness of treatment
topic Dutasteride
evidence-based medicine
randomized controlled trial
url http://www.indianjurol.com/article.asp?issn=0970-1591;year=2011;volume=27;issue=4;spage=525;epage=531;aulast=Stewart
work_keys_str_mv AT suzannebstewart howtoappraisetheeffectivenessoftreatment
AT phillipdahm howtoappraisetheeffectivenessoftreatment
AT charlesdscales howtoappraisetheeffectivenessoftreatment