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Diagnosis In General Practice: Using Probabilistic Reasoning, Jenny Doust Nov 2009

Diagnosis In General Practice: Using Probabilistic Reasoning, Jenny Doust

Jenny Doust

Diagnostic tests—whether clinical signs, imaging, or laboratory tests—are imperfect: there is always a possibility that test results are inaccurate and our diagnosis is wrong. However, we need to make decisions about whether to treat or not to treat patients, and so we need to feel confident that our diagnosis is above a certain threshold before we decide to treat a patient and below a certain threshold if we decide to withhold treatment. The threshold depends on the disease and the potential harms and benefits of treating or not treating patients. Unless we have clear strategies to cope with the uncertainties …


Check Unit: Evidence Based Medicine, Chris Del Mar, Jenny Doust Feb 2009

Check Unit: Evidence Based Medicine, Chris Del Mar, Jenny Doust

Jenny Doust

Extract: This is an updated version of an original check unit on evidence based medicine (EBM) written by Chris Del Mar, Paul Glasziou and Chris Silagy in 1999. Our aim for this unit is to present a practical strategy in learning to use EBM in our every day practice. To practise EBM means to make clinical decisions based on the best evidence currently available. It sounds simple, however, the ‘devil’ is in the detail! Exactly how do we go about it? On completion of this unit we hope that participants will: • appreciate the role that EBM can play in …


Check Unit: Evidence Based Medicine, Chris Del Mar, Jenny Doust Feb 2009

Check Unit: Evidence Based Medicine, Chris Del Mar, Jenny Doust

Christopher Del Mar

Extract: This is an updated version of an original check unit on evidence based medicine (EBM) written by Chris Del Mar, Paul Glasziou and Chris Silagy in 1999. Our aim for this unit is to present a practical strategy in learning to use EBM in our every day practice. To practise EBM means to make clinical decisions based on the best evidence currently available. It sounds simple, however, the ‘devil’ is in the detail! Exactly how do we go about it? On completion of this unit we hope that participants will: • appreciate the role that EBM can play in …


General Practice Research, Deborah Askew, Chris Del Mar, Brian R. Mcavoy, David Lyle Feb 2009

General Practice Research, Deborah Askew, Chris Del Mar, Brian R. Mcavoy, David Lyle

Christopher Del Mar

This chapter sketches the current status of general practice research in Australia and includes suggestions for enhancing it.