Expertise in setting appropriate, answerable clinical questions, undertaking an accurate search of databases, and appraising the evidence found are all key elements to practising evidence-based medicine. Using the published evidence of the utility of donepezil in Alzheimer's disease as an example, I have attempted to illustrate the process of critical appraisal of a therapeutic intervention. The study appraised was well conducted and the results indicate that donepezil may benefit some patients with Alzheimer's disease.
Brown T , Wilkinson G (eds) (1998) Critical reviews in psychiatry. Gaskell, London
2.
Chatellier G , Zapletal E , Lemaitre J et al. (1996) The number needed to treat: a clinically useful nomogram in its proper context . BMJ312: 426-429
3.
Folstein M F , Folstein S E , McHugh P R (1975) Mini-mental state: a practical method for grading the cognitive state of subjects for the clinician . J Psychiatr Res12: 189-198
4.
Geddes J R , Harrison PJ (1997) Closing the gap between research and practice . Br J Psychiatry171: 220-225
5.
Goldner E M , Bilsker D (1995) Evidence-based psychiatry . Can J Psychiatry40: 97-101
6.
Greenhalgh T (1997) How to read a paper ö the Medline database . BMJ315: 180-183
7.
Guyatt G , Sackett D , Cook D for the evidence-based working group (1993) Users' guide to the medical literature II. How to use an article about therapy or prevention A: are the results valid . JAMA270: 2598-2601
8.
Guyatt G , Sackett D , Cook D for the evidence-based working group (1994) Users' guide to the medical literature II. How to use an article about therapy or prevention B: what were the results and will they help me in caring for my patients?JAMA271: 59-63
9.
Rogers S L , Friedho¡ LT and the donepezil study group (1996) The safety and e¤cacy of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease: results of a US Multicentre, Randomised, Double-blind, Placebo-Controlled Trial . Dementia7: 293-303
10.
Rogers S LFarlow M R , Doody R S et al. (1998) A 24-week, double blind, placebo controlled trial of donepezil in patients with Alzheimer's disease . Neurology50: 136-145
11.
Rosen WG , Mohs R C , Davis K L (1984) A new rating scale for Alzheimer's disease . Am J Psychiatry141: 1356-1364
12.
Sackett D L , Rosenberg W MC , Muir Gray JA , Haynes R B , Richardson W S (1996) Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't . BMJ312: 71-72
13.
Sackett D L , Richardson W S , Rosenberg W et al. (1997) Evidencebased medicine. Churchill Livingstone, NewYork
14.
Stein K (1997) Donepezil in the treatment of mild to moderate senile dementia of the Alzheimer type. DEC report No. 69. NHS executive South and West R &D directorate
15.
Warner J P , King M (1997) Evidence based medicine and the Journal Club . Psychiatr Bull21: 532-534
16.
Warner J P , Blizard B (1998) Evidence-based psychiatry. How to appraise an article on therapy . Psychiatr Bull22: 342-344
