Valoración crítica de documentos científicos. Aplicabilidad de los resultados de la valoración a nuestra práctica clínica

Abstract

Abstract The evidence based medicine offers us very useful tools to solve clinical problems by means of the efficient analysis of scientific literature. If we acquire and exercise this methodological tools, we will be able to value any scientific evidence and integrate it with our knowledge and clinical experience, and also we will be able to decide on its applicability and suitability in a concrete patient. In this article we will review the general principles of the critical appraisal of scientific literature. Also we will review the main criteria to consider in the analysis of the validity and applicability of the studies of evaluation of health interventions and diagnostic tests. We will finalize presenting some of the initiatives that have allowed the incorporation of the critical appraisal of scientific documents at the clinical practice: the CASP program and the Critically Appraissed Topics Banks.