PT 741 Principles of Evidence Based Practice Format for Creating CATS, (Critically Appraised Topic Sheets)

OUTLINE TO CRITICALLY APPRAISE A DIAGNOSTIC STUDY Title of the CAT: A concise statement (similar to the clinical bottom line or clinical question) that will be used to catalogue the CAT. Clinical Bottom Line: Provide a concise summary of how the results can be applied, a description of how results will affect clinical decisions or actions. Clinical Scenario: Provide a concise description of the patient case. Include the patients age, gender, and information that is relevant to the clinical question. Clinical Question: This is the question that was developed from the patient case. It includes the elements of PICO: The patient/population, the intervention (in this case the diagnostic test) that is being considered, a comparison (if relevant), and the outcome of interest (in this case, validity of diagnostic test results). Search Terms: Describe the search strategy used to obtain the study or studies that are being appraised. Include the search engine and database that was used, and the terms that were entered to locate the articles. Indicate steps and numbers of useful references obtained at each step. Summary of the Study Provide a description of the study including answers to the following questions: 1. Was there an independent comparison with a reference standard of diagnosis? 2. Were the investigators blind to the patients true diagnosis? 3. Was the diagnostic test evaluated in an appropriate spectrum of patients (like those in whom we would use it in practice)? 4. Was the reference standard applied regardless of the diagnostic test result? 5. What was the target disorder and reference standard used (i.e. how was the true diagnosis determined)? 6. What is the diagnostic test being studied? 7. Describe the sample, including setting and relevant inclusion and exclusion criteria. The Evidence: Summarize the results of the study that provide evidence for the reliability or validity of the diagnostic test. Provide specific data as appropriate, including specificity, sensitivity and likelihood ratios. Put data in tabular form if appropriate. For example, include values that can be used to calculate sensitivity and specificity, or correlation values that demonstrate reliability and concurrent validity. Include actual data values, not just summaries. Comments: Provide critical comments on the accuracy of the study, including issues related to the sampling, methods, data analysis and interpretation of results. If citing more than one study, indicate if findings are similar or if there are conflicts, with explanations. Citation: Provide the full citation for the article used in the CAT, using AMA format (see Physical Therapy journal for examples). Name of Appraiser(s) Date of Appraisal

Critically Appraised Topic (CAT) for a Diagnostic Study Title: Clinical Bottom Line: Clinical Scenario: Clinical Question: Search Terms: Summary of Study: Was there an independent comparison with a reference standard of diagnosis?
Were the investigators blind to the patients true diagnosis?

Yes

No No No No

Cant tell Cant tell Cant tell Cant tell

Yes Was the diagnostic test evaluated in an appropriate spectrum Yes of patients? Was the reference standard applied regardless of the Yes diagnostic test result? What was the target disorder and the reference standard used? What is the diagnostic test? Describe the sample: Other relevant information: The Evidence

Comments Citation Appraiser(s): Date of Appraisal:

Townsend,E. (2014,January). Evidence Based Practice for Physical Therapists [Course material]. MGH IHP PT 741.