1. Searching for the best evidence

2. Use the best available evidence  “You must deliver care based on the best available evidence or best practice.”  “You must ensure any advice you give is evidence based if you are suggesting healthcare products or services.” NMC (2008) The NMC code of professional conduct: standards for conduct, performance and ethics for nurses and midwives. London: NMC.

3.  A review of the evidence on a clearly formulated question that uses systematic and explicit means to identify, select, and critically appraise relevant primary research and to extract and analyze data from the studies that are included in the review. KS Khan, J Glanville and J Kleijnen, “Preparation of a proposal for a systematic review”, Undertaking Systematic Reviews of Research on Effectiveness, University of York, York, United Kingdom (2001), pp.1–7 Also available at http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/report4.htmAlso available at http://www.york.ac.uk/inst/crd/report4.htm (accessed 1st April 2008).

4.  UK based, established in 1993  Aims to help people make informed decisions regarding health care  Prepare, maintain and allow access to systematic reviews via the Cochrane Library

5. Pyramid modified from: Navigating the Maze, University of Virginia, Health Sciences Library

6. Made up of 7 databases. They contain different types of high-quality, independent evidence to inform healthcare decision-making:  Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (Cochrane Reviews) Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews  Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (Clinical Trials) Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials  Cochrane Methodology Register  Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (Other Reviews) Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects  Health Technology Assessment Database  NHS Economic Evaluation Database  About The Cochrane Collaboration

7.  A proposal for a Cochrane Review that has not yet been completed  Sets out the problem they want to address – a clearly formulated question  Sets out the methods they intend to use to find the evidence  Sets out the level of evidence (e.g. RCTs ) they are looking for  Available full-text  May provide useful references

8.  Resource updated quarterly  Full text of Cochrane reviews and protocols are available  Regarded as the best source of evidence based material You will not find a systematic review for every search!

9.  Freely available on the internet  Available through ifindresearchifindresearch

10. healthlib@swansea.ac.uk www.swansea.ac.uk/iss Just ask: Clare Boucher Stephen Storey Elen Wyn Davies Katrina Dalziel Isabell Phillips (Carmarthen Campus) Marion Michael (DALLAS) Alison Tomkins (DALLAS)