Gordon Henry Guyatt(1953-)is a professor of Department of Clinical Epidemiology amp; Biostatistics and Department of Medicine in McMaster University. He has engaged in evidence-based clinical research and practice for about 20 years. In 1992, he first proposed the term “evidence-based medicine” in one of his articles published in JAMA. He is dedicated to bringing the wonderful idea of evidence-based medicine to bedside and systematically training clinicians from all over the world to acquire the basic skills for evidence-based clinical practice. His great contribution to evidence-based medicine is introduced in this article through demonstrating the development of evidence-based clinical practice.
Objective To explore the methods used for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture. Methods Based on the characteristics of acupuncture in traditional Chinese medicine,and principles of evidence-based medicine, this article introduces and summarizes the processes and methods for developing an evidence-based clinical practice guideline for acupuncture. We analyzed similarities and differences between clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture and for other interventions. We used an evidence-based clinical practice guideline of acupuncture for depression as an example to illustrate the methods of literature search, grading of evidence and recommendations, evidence evaluation and consensus formation. Results Preliminary recommendations on the methods for developing evidence-based clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture were made. Conclusion Based on the optimized rational methodology for developing clinical guidelines, evidence-based high-quality clinical practice guidelines for acupuncture could be established.
Based on peer-reviewed systematic reviews and randomized controlled trials published between January 2000 and June 2019 with regards to the management of glenohumeral joint osteoarthritis (GJO), the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) established the clinical practice guidelines for the treatment of GJO. The guidelines provided practice recommendations including risk factors, non-surgical treatment, surgical treatment, prosthesis selection, and perioperative management for GJO. The recommendations were graded according to different evidence strength. This paper interprets the guidline in order to provide reference for domestic medical workers.
Objective To compare the postoperative outcomes of elderly and non-elderly patients undergoing inguinal hernia repair in same-day surgery mode, and explore the utility and safety of same-day surgery mode in inguinal hernia repair. Methods Patients who underwent inguinal hernia repair in Day Surgery Center, West China Hospital of Sichuan University between January 1st 2021 and October 31st 2021 were prospectively included. The patients were divided into elderly group (≥60 years old) and non-elderly group (18-59 years old). The preoperative conditions, postoperative outcomes, discharge readiness and social support of the two groups were analyzed. Results A total of 451 patients were enrolled, including 111 elderly patients and 340 non-elderly patients. The male proportion, prevalence rates of preoperative comorbidities, and bilateral inguinal hernia proportion in the elderly group were significantly higher than those in the non-elderly group (P<0.05), and the body mass index in the elderly group were significantly lower than that in the non-elderly group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in anesthesia method, analgesic method, bleeding volume, or surgery time between the two groups (P>0.05). The postoperative pain score of the non-elderly group was higher than that in the elderly group (Z=–2.226, P=0.026), but there was no statistically significant difference in the rate of postoperative unplanned analgesia, rate of discharge delay, pain score on the third day after discharge, re-consultation within one month after discharge, complications within one month after discharge, or post-discharge satisfaction (P>0.05). The total score of social support was higher in the elderly group than that in the non-elderly group (31.77±3.04 vs. 29.75±4.78; t=4.182, P<0.001). Conclusion The same-day surgery mode for inguinal hernia repair is feasible and safe in elderly patients and worthy of implementation.
To help better understanding on evidence-based medicine, five frequently asked questions relevant to evidence-based clinical practice were commented on. The questions included: 1. Dose evidence-based medicine only emphasize evidence and ignore clinical experiences? 2. Dose evidence only include randomized controlled trials and systematic reviews? 3. How to face the quality of evidence? 4. Is randomized evidence suitable for treating individual patient? 5. Is evidence-based medicine useless since there is no adequate evidence for many clinical questions?
Objective Through studying a diabetic patient accompanied with pancreatic cancer by means of evidence-based clinical practice, to find out the relationship between diabetes mellitus and cancer and whether the long-acting insulin glargine increases the risk of cancer or not, which is regarded as a disputable hot issue at present. Methods Such databases as The Cochrane Library (Issue 3, 2010), OVID-EBM Reviews (1991 to Sept. 2010), MEDLINE (1950 to Sept. 2010) and CNKI (2000 to Sept. 2010) were retrieved to collect high quality clinical evidence, and the best therapy was formulated in accordance with the willingness of patients themselves. Results Eight randomized controlled trials (RCTs), four meta-analyses and one RCT meta-analysis were included. The evidence indicated that: a) Diabetes mellitus was kind of related to the occurrence of malignancies; b) There was no evidence at present showing the relationship between long-acting insulin glargine and cancer; c) Strictly controlling of blood sugar did not increase the risk of tumorigenesis, but hyperglycemia causing cancer was proofless; and d) Whether the diabetic patient with cancer should stop taking long-acting insulin glargine or not should require suggestions from specialists rather than patients themselves. Conclusion No evidence at present shows that tumorigenesis is related to diabetes mellitus, long-acting insulin glargine and strict controlling of blood sugar. It is necessary to require more evidence to decide whether the therapy should be adjusted or not for the diabetic patient with cancer who is in the process of glargine therapy.
Following the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence technologies, especially the development of large language models like ChatGPT, the field of medical clinical practice is undergoing an unprecedented technological revolution. These advanced technologies, through efficient processing and analysis of large datasets, not only provide medical professionals with auxiliary diagnoses and treatment suggestions but also significantly enhance the quality and efficiency of medical education. This study conducts a comprehensive analysis and review of the applications of large language models in various aspects, including clinical inquiry, history collection, medical literature writing, clinical decision support, optimization of medical portal websites, patient health management, medical education, academic research, and scientific writing. However, the application of these technologies is not without flaws and presents several limitations and ethical challenges. This paper focuses on challenges related to technological errors, academic dishonesty, abuse risks, over-reliance, possibilities of misdiagnosis and treatment errors, and issues of accountability. In conclusion, large language models demonstrate tremendous potential in the integration and advancement of medical practices. Nevertheless, while fully harnessing the benefits brought by ChatGPT, it is essential to acknowledge and address these ethical challenges to ensure that the application of ChatGPT in the medical field is responsible and effective.
ObjectiveTo systematically investigate the current status of reporting health economics evidence in clinical practice guidelines and expert consensuses published in China from 2021 to 2023, providing references for the formulation and revision of guidelines and consensuses in our country. MethodsComputer searches were conducted in the CNKI, CBM, WanFang Data, China Academic Journals Full-text Database, PubMed, and Web of Science to collect clinical practice guidelines and expert consensuses published in China from 2021 to 2023. Two researchers independently screened the literature, extracted information on the inclusion of economic evidence in guidelines and consensuses, and then used quantitative analysis methods for description. ResultsA total of 4 236 relevant articles were included, of which 1 066 (25.17%) reported health economics evidence; 120 (11.26%) reported health economics evidence in the formation of recommendation opinions; 109 (10.23%) reported health economics evidence in the grading of evidence quality; 832 (78.05%) reported health economics evidence in the interpretation and explanation of recommendation opinions. ConclusionThe reporting rate of health economics evidence in clinical practice guidelines and expert consensuses published in China is not high. The reporting rate of health economics evidence in consensuses is lower than that in guidelines. It is recommended that during the formulation process of guidelines and consensuses, the application of health economics evidence should be further strengthened in aspects such as the formation of recommendation opinions, the grading of evidence quality, and the interpretation and explanation of recommendation opinions, in order to improve the scientific, rigorous, and applicability of clinical practice guidelines and expert consensuses, and to play the role of guidelines and consensuses in optimizing the allocation of health resources, improving clinical diagnosis and treatment effects, and enhancing the quality of medical care.
Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) standardization is an important carrier for TCM inheriting and innovating. As an important content of TCM standardization system, TCM clinical practice guidelines' designation and revision play an important role for medical staff to regulate medical behavior, and improve the quality of health services. This paper expounds the significance and function of the TCM guidelines, analyzes the present situation, opportunities and challenges, and puts forward the strategies and suggestions to promote the development of evidence-based TCM guidelines.