HOME HELP FEEDBACK SUBSCRIPTIONS ARCHIVE SEARCH TABLE OF CONTENTS		QUICK SEARCH:   [advanced] Author: Keyword(s): Year:  Vol:  Page:

This Article Full Text Full Text (PDF) Alert me when this article is cited Alert me if a correction is posted Citation Map Services Email this article to a friend Similar articles in this journal Similar articles in PubMed Alert me to new issues of the journal Download to citation manager Citing Articles Citing Articles via Google Scholar Google Scholar Articles by Virgilio, R. F. Articles by Palmarozzi, E. A. Search for Related Content PubMed PubMed Citation Articles by Virgilio, R. F. Articles by Palmarozzi, E. A.

From the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Texas Health Science Center—Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine at Forth Worth.

Address correspondence to Richard F. Virgilio, DO, Department of Family Medicine, Texas College of Osteopathic Medicine, University of North Texas Health Science Center, 855 Montgomery St, Patient Care Center, 2nd Fl, Fort Worth, TX 76107-2553.E-mail: rvirgilio{at}hsc.unt.edu

This article, the first in a series of six articles, introduces the concept of evidence-based medicine and describes the first two steps of practicing it: formulating an answerable clinical question and searching the available evidence. The types of clinical questions practitioners can ask are examined and a hierarchy of how to search for the best and most authoritative evidence is provided. The skills learned from creating an answerable question and searching the evidence, as outlined in this article, provide a solid basis for life-long learning and improved patient care.