Journal of evaluation in clinical practice
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Review Meta Analysis
Evidence-Based Decision Making in Psychological Research: A Network Meta-Analysis.
Network meta-analysis (NMA) was introduced in the 1990s as an extension of standard meta-analysis. Since then, it has been utilized in various scientific fields, particularly in medicine, to evaluate the effectiveness of therapies/interventions/treatments applied for specific outcomes. In recent years, NMA, which offers a highly attractive methodology for researchers, clinicians and decision-makers, has gained popularity as a form of evidence synthesis. Recognized as providing the 'highest level of evidence', NMA is also crucial in conducting research in psychology and psychiatry. With advancements in psychology and psychiatry, specific programmes or interventions have been developed and continue to be developed to address particular problem areas. Due to the variety of these treatment methods, there has not yet been a study focusing on the direct comparison of some treatments. Therefore, the aim of this article is to introduce the NMA method and highlight its potential in evidence-based decision-making, particularly in the field of psychopathology. By doing so, it is anticipated that the perspective of clinicians can be broadened in planning appropriate therapies for psychopathologies. ⋯ In conclusion, NMA holds significant potential for use in psychology, where many treatment options exist, and its use is encouraged among clinicians and researchers in the field.
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To assess the methodological quality and psychometric properties of self-reported financial toxicity measures for cancer survivors, to offer evidence-based guidance for the selection of these measures in clinical practice, and to supply methodological references for the enhancement and development of related measures in the future. ⋯ Healthcare professionals can implement evidence-based measures in clinical practice to effectively assess the financial toxicity experienced by cancer survivors, offer policy-oriented interventions, and enhance patient-reported outcomes.
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The differentiation between association and causation is a significant challenge in medical research, often further complicated by cognitive biases that erroneously interpret coincidental observational data as indicative of causality. Such misinterpretations can lead to misguided clinical guidelines and healthcare practice, potentially endangering patient safety and leading to inefficient use of resources. ⋯ In many cases, misinterpretation of observational finding negatively affecting patient care and public health policies. Addressing and rectifying the observational interpretation fallacy is crucial for the progression of medical research and the maintenance of safe and effective clinical practice. It is imperative for health policymakers, clinicians, and the lay public to critically assess research outcomes and make health-related decisions based on a foundation of evidence-based medicine. This approach ensures the alignment of medical practices with the most current and robust scientific evidence, safeguarding patient welfare and optimising resource allocation.
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Antibiotic prescription, its nature and its duration are a very common decision-making situation in primary care practice. Clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are regularly emitted by various organisations on this topic. ⋯ There is a lack of quality in the development process of the current French guidelines in primary care infectiology. This process should be reconsidered, with higher insistence as to its quality.
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Review
More Than a Sense: The Sense of Smell and Its Reflection in Mother and Baby: A Comprehensive Review.
The sense of smell is one of the most developed and important senses that forms the bond between the newborn and the mother and allows the newborn to reach the mother's breast. The sense of smell begins to form during intrauterine life, and the sense of smell can be a marking tool for a newborn baby, so that the baby can recognize both his mother and his immediate environment and develop his behaviour accordingly. This is necessary not only for feeding babies but also for them to feel safe and peaceful in their new environment. In the early stages of life, olfactory stimulation (maternal odour, breast milk odour, amniotic fluid odour, smell of people or different environments) plays an important role in adapting to the environment. Smell stimulation, in particular, is critical for newborns' postnatal survival because it supports a wide range of early regulatory functions and motor responses. This review also aims to examine the current evidence in the field of olfactory skills in mother and infant in the development and care of the infant. Another aim is to summarize the research conducted to determine the effect of the sense of smell on the life of the mother and baby. ⋯ However, more well-designed experimental studies are needed in this regard. We look forward to future studies that closely examine various aspects of how olfactory stimulation affects both mother and baby.