5 Therapy and intervention

Abstract

We have been presented with a clinical treatment problem and have examined how to use the medical literature to look for evidence to guide our clinical decision-making. To summarize, after defining the problems to be resolved, an appropriate search strategy will identify relevant articles. These will need to be assessed for their validity. Consider good or adequate studies further by looking at the results and precision of the treatment effects. Apply the results in your clinical practice if the results can be generalized and provided that all relevant clinical outcomes have been presented. If these criteria are not met, support for use of the therapy is weakened. Finally, an assessment needs to be made of whether the likely benefits of treatment outweight the potential harm and costs.