International journal of evidence-based healthcare
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Jun 2018
Attitudes, knowledge and behaviors related to evidence-based practice in health professionals involved in pain management.
Healthcare professionals involved in pain management come from different disciplines, which may have different perspectives and training about evidence-based practice (EBP). A common concern for health professionals is pain management. Understanding how different professions involved in pain management view EBP forms the ideal context to study professional differences in EPP, and how this might influence pain management. ⋯ The current study indicates that physicians and allied health professionals have similar EBP attitudes and knowledge. All professional groups seem to have suboptimal implementation of EBP. The nature of medical decision-making, its evidentiary pool, or longer experience with EBP may contribute to greater implementation amongst physicians.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Jun 2018
Heterogeneity assessment in gastroenterology systematic reviews: an analysis of current practices.
In systematic reviews and meta-analyses, variation (heterogeneity) in the primary studies is often a concern resulting from factors such as study design, data analysis methods, study quality, settings and interventions and/or patient characteristics. After determining the extent of heterogeneity, authors examine the causes of heterogeneity via sensitivity analysis, subgroup analysis and/or meta-regression analysis. There is no assessment of heterogeneity practices in gastroenterological literature; thus, we present this assessment. ⋯ In gastroenterology journals and other journals printing gastrointestinal topic systematic reviews, most conducted statistical tests for heterogeneity; however, the statistical methods could be more robust and the impact of heterogeneity discussed more often in the article.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Sep 2016
ReviewPrevalence of multiple antipsychotic use and associated adverse effects in Australians with mental illness.
This article analyzes the prevalence of use of concurrent multiple antipsychotics and high dosage treatment in people with mental illness, to assess the burden of antipsychotic drug-related side-effects associated with multiple use, and to identify strategies shown to reduce antipsychotic polypharmacy. ⋯ Use of multiple antipsychotics is common among Australian people with mental illness, despite guidelines recommending that only one antipsychotic should be used in most cases. People taking more than one antipsychotic at a time are more likely to experience side-effects, and to receive higher than recommended antipsychotic doses. Direct trials that aimed to reduce multiple antipsychotic use suggest it is possible to effectively reduce therapy in the majority of people without worsening outcomes. Simple educational programmes targeting health professionals have not been found to be effective; however, complex multifaceted programmes and quality improvement programmes have demonstrated effect.
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Int J Evid Based Healthc · Jun 2016
ReviewThe association of dietary intake and supplementation of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids with inflammation and functional capacity in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease: a systematic review.
This systematic review sought to identify the association of dietary intake and supplementation of specific polyunsaturated fatty acids with inflammation and function in people with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). ⋯ Limited evidence provides weak support for the use of omega-3 fatty acid supplementation for reducing chronic inflammation and some support for improving functional capacity in COPD patients. There is no consistent evidence showing that low dietary intake of specific omega-3 fatty acids worsens inflammation and/or function. More evidence is required before routinely incorporating this therapy within COPD management plans.