Well done, but....
This book is well done from an educational perspective. You'll find nice diagrams, figures, a CD-ROM, and everything you need in order to assimilate it nicely. References are provided and well organized.
As usual when it comes to EBM (and paradoxically), it lacks a little bit in introspection, like for example when it claims that basically the only real limitation of EBM is that the physician needs to acquire new skills, while other criticisms (such as the "cookbook" approach or the fact that it might tend toward saving money against the benefit of the patients) are dismissed as "concerns" on how the method is (or will be) used. The authors genuinely sound like thinking EBM should always be applied everywhere to every problem, and that borders with black-vs-white thinking, which is dangerous in and of itself.
However, if you are interested in knowing EBM, how to apply it, where to find resources, etc, this book is most definitely for you.
Book Review
Excellent review of evidence based medicine. Concise and to the point. Have used it multiple times during residency and fellowship.
The first and still the best
Sackett's EBM is the Bible for anyone conducting systematic review. It is THE how-to guide for clinical medicine SR and a great starting point for thinking about SR in the social sciences. Thank you Dr. Sackett for bringing SR to the masses.
Evidence Based Medicine
This is an excellent "how to" manual for those who are serious about learning how to apply evidence based medicine principles. Lots of folks talk about "evidence based medicine" but few really know what it means. This is obviously intended as a teaching tool for residents but is equally useful for any physician who is interested in learning the principles required to do the best job for his/her patient. The size and summary cards are handy for carrying with you wherever you may need them! Easy to read but with great substance.
The standard for teaching EBM
As a physician-teacher of EBM to internal medicine residents, this is the best book I've run across for this purpose. We utilize the reader's guides, first published in the Canadian Medical Association Journal and later in JAMA, written by Guyatt, Sackett, and others, which are perfectly complemented by this volume. I recommend it to all of the residents and have purchased multiple copies for house staff use (although I can't seem to keep them on the shelf...) It makes learning EBM fun and highlights its usefulness and, most importantly for busy physicians, speed. Worth reading for every physician interested in practicing medicine based on only the best evidence.
(10 reviews)
