Reviews: Making Sense of an Often Tangled Skein of Evidence

Editorials21 June 2005Reviews: Making Sense of an Often Tangled Skein of EvidenceThe EditorsThe EditorsSearch for more papers by this authorAuthor, Article, and Disclosure Informationhttps://doi.org/10.7326/0003-4819-142-12_Part_1-200506210-00013 SectionsAboutFull TextPDF ToolsAdd to favoritesDownload CitationsTrack CitationsPermissions ShareFacebookTwitterLinkedInRedditEmail Medical science is an intricately detailed tapestry of evidence, woven over many decades, from tens of thousands of hypotheses and observations. Astute observers rarely discern the tapestry's pattern from single studies; they know that a single study seldom allows people to see a pattern that changes insight and clinical practice. Far more often, medical practice changes only after a body of evidence accumulates to the point of revealing meaningful patterns. Recognizing the central role of evidence synthesis in shaping standards for clinical practice, Annals places a high priority on publishing up-to-date summative articles. This editorial offers advice for review artisans ... Author, Article, and Disclosure InformationAffiliations: Disclosures: None disclosed.Corresponding Author: Customer Service, American College of Physicians, 190 N. Independence Mall West, Philadelphia, PA 19106. PreviousarticleNextarticle Advertisement FiguresReferencesRelatedDetails Metrics Cited byE-cigarettes and Urologic Health: A Collaborative Review of Toxicology, Epidemiology, and Potential RisksPotential health benefits of simulated laughter: A narrative review of the literature and recommendations for future researchPoor reporting of search strategy and conflict of interest in over 250 narrative and systematic reviews of two biologic agents in arthritis: A systematic reviewEVIDENCE-BASED DRUG UTILIZATIONSystematic Reviews: Time to Address Clinical and Policy Relevance As Well As Methodological RigorAndreas Laupacis, MD and Sharon Straus, MDPatient-Care Questions that Physicians Are Unable to AnswerA Research Synthesis OverviewThe clinical application of pulse contour cardiac output and intrathoracic volume measurements in critically ill patientsChronic disorders of consciousnessSystematic reviews and meta-analyses in the Journal of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy 21 June 2005Volume 142, Issue 12_Part_1Page: 1019-1020KeywordsConflicts of interestElderlyEvidence based medicineFallsHand strengthHealth care qualityHealth services researchPopulation statisticsResearch quality assessmentSystematic reviews ePublished: 21 June 2005 Issue Published: 21 June 2005 Copyright & PermissionsCopyright © 2005 by American College of Physicians. All Rights Reserved.PDF downloadLoading ...