Is Evidence-Based Medicine Relevant to the Developing World?

Abstract

Systematic reviews have yet to achieve their potential as a resource for practitioners in developing countries, argue Chinnock et al.

AGREE to disagree: Critical appraisal and the publication of practice guidelines

“…The demand for health services exceeds available resources, and in order to meet the health needs of a community, allocation of health services and associated financial resources must be prioritised. [14] As Chinnock et al state, [15] wherever healthcare is provided, it is essential to know which interventions work, which do not, and which are likely to be harmful. This is especially important in situations where health problems are severe and scarcity of resources makes it vital that they are not wasted.…”

Emergency care research priorities in South Africap

“…While healthcare professionals in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs) should use evidence-based decisions in day-today patient care, implementing evidence-based medicine remains difficult. [4] Since the majority of studies are done in high-income countries for high-income countries relating to health conditions important to high-income countries, [5] their limited applicability and transferability to LMICs creates a knowledge vacuum in LMICs, including SA. [4] Research in the field of emergency care specifically related to LMICs is sparse.…”

Mondzorgvrijwilligerswerk in ontwikkelingslanden 1. Meer dan liefdadigheid.

“…In ontwikkelingslanden zijn deze interventies echter voor een groot deel van de bevolking niet haalbaar. Als toch fissuurverzegelingen worden aangebracht, maar onder onvoldoende condities, is de kwaliteit zo slecht dat de preventieve waarde nihil is (Chinnock et al, 2005). In de literatuur wordt het onderscheid tussen wetenschappelijk bewijs en haalbaarheid vaak niet duidelijk gemaakt (Jordan et al, 2008).…”