The Pharmacy & Therapeutics Committee Evidence-Based Decision-Making Handbook: Practical Guidance, Advice, Strategies, Tips and Efficiencies (Delfini Group Evidence-based Practice)

*IMPORTANT NOTE: We have retired. Delfini tools and resources referenced in the book will be no longer available online after 2023.*

"Best help with evidence-based medicine available."Martin Gabica MD, Chief Medical Officer, Healthwise

"The guidelines and tools that you provided have been invaluable and are used on an almost daily basis as I review journal articles…” Maribeth M. Bettarelli, PharmD

“The Delfini Group provided a comprehensive—and practical—approach to interpreting EBM, but most importantly, they provided a tool that I was able to easily incorporate into my practice…”Chris McFarland, PharmD

Sound medical decisions require sound medical evidence. However, did you know that many estimate that the majority of published medical research studies are not reliable or are of uncertain reliability?

You need an evidence-based process for quality patient care and to avoid waste. An evidence-based approach requires that evidence be evaluated for reliability and clinical usefulness. This book can help you.

1.How do you hire and evaluate an evidence-based staff if you lack evidence-based skills yourself?

2.What are some helpful resources and tips to save time?

3.Creating high quality monographs: How do you get the right information to the committee without swamping them with unnecessary details?

4.How do you keep your committee discussions evidence-based if your members lack these skills?

5.How do you make decisions on factors other than evidence?

6.How do you avoid typical pitfalls?

Delfini medical evidologists and information scientists, Sheri Ann Strite and Michael E. Stuart MD, answer these questions and more.

The authors have worked extensively with Pharmacy & Therapeutic groups around the country to help them establish and operate a truly evidence-based committee. Benefit from their experience and tips for evidence-based practice and efficiencies.

Note: Contents are similar to our medical technology assessment book, but targeted for a Pharmacy & Therapeutics audience.

Delfini Group is a public service entrepreneurship founded to advance applied evidence- and value-based clinical quality improvements through practice, training and facilitation. Much of Delfini’s work is dedicated to solving medical misinformation problems. Delfini has contributed to text books, advised government entities, worked with health care systems, payers and manufacturers and has trained thousands in evidence-based quality improvement.

Michael E. Stuart MD & Sheri Ann Strite are medical information scientists, evidologists and clinical improvement experts who combine academic and practical experience to train people how to evaluate medical research studies, conduct evidence reviews, help health care systems apply evidence- and value-based clinical quality improvement methods including special help for work groups such as clinical guideline development teams, pharmacy & therapeutics and medical technology assessment committees, clinical quality improvement teams and more. They also train physicians and others in communicating with patients.

Sheri Ann Strite, Co-founder, Principal & Managing Partner, initiated many Delfini health care improvement strategies, tools and training programs including the popular Delfini critical appraisal training program. Formerly she was Associate Director, Program Development, University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Family & Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, where she taught faculty, physicians, residents, students and others. She was also a member of the UCSD Family Medicine Research Leaders and faculty for their Research Fellowship in the Department of Family & Preventive Medicine. Prior to UCSD, Ms. Strite worked in clinical improvement, education and research at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington, where she held various positions.

Michael E. Stuart MD, Co-founder, President & Medical Director, is a family physician and was appointed clinical faculty at the University of Washington in 1975. He is the former Director of the Department of Clinical Improvement and Education at Group Health Cooperative in Seattle, Washington, where he led development of more than 35 evidence-based clinical guidelines and other clinical improvements, chaired the Pharmacy & Therapeutics and Medical Technology Assessment Committees. His work has received praise from prominent health care leaders such as David Eddy MD, Don Berwick MD, Health Ministry of New Zealand and the US Navy.