Presentations and papers
In this section we provide a series of downloadable presentations on the EPIQ
approach to evidence-based practice and critical appraisal and a paper we have
published on the GATE approach to critical appraisal.
- An introduction to evidence-based practice using the Graphic Appraisal
Tool for Epidemiology (GATE) by Rod Jackson (February 2011):
EPIQ approach to evidence-based practice (2.8MB PDF)
- Rapid critical appraisal with GATE by Rod Jackson (February 2011)
The EPIQ group has developed a series of 4-page excel-based Critically Appraised
Topics (CATs) / critical appraisal checklists and 1-page ‘GATE-lite’ forms. Both
sets of tools are based on GATE and are provided in the next 2 sections below.
The GATE approach to critical appraisal used in these tools is described in this
presentation: Critical appraisal with GATE & CATs(576.3KB PDF)
- The GATE approach to critical appraisal is described in a paper published in
2006 entitled:
The GATE frame - critical appraisal with pictures(1.4MB PDF)
- The GATE approach to searching the literature by Sue Wells (February 2008):
MESH-based rapid access to the evidence(8.9MB PPT)
Critically appraised topics (CATs) checklists for quantitative studies:
In this section we provide a series of CAT checklists that have been developed by Rod Jackson, Shanthi
Ameratunga, Adam Briggs, Joanna Broad, Jennie Connor, Anne Lethaby, Gill Robb
and Sue Wells. The original excel versions of the CATs were designed by Joanna
Broad. These were updated in 2008 by Adam Briggs, a British medical
student, while on his elective with us in Auckland. The Systematic Review CAT
was changed significantly in 2010 and 2011.
EPIQ checklists are MS Excel documents and are designed to generate CATs. Each
CAT has four pages and is designed to model the five steps of evidence-based practice.
CATs can be printed back-to-back on A3 paper to produce a booklet.
Page 1 documents
the clinical /practice scenario, the question (Step 1) asked and the search strategy
and search results (Step 2).
Page 2 documents the first part of critical appraisal
(Step 3a) which involves hanging the study on the GATE frame. If you key the main
study numbers into the GATE frame, it automatically calculates risk, risk ratios,
risk differences and NNTs, as well as 95% confidence intervals for all estimates
(note: the systematic review checklist does not include a calculator).
Page 3 documents
the second part of critical appraisal (Step 3b) which is to assess the quality of
the study (internal & external validity, precision and power).
Page 4 documents the integration and application of evidence (Step 4) and
personal and clinical audit (Step 5).
There is also an instructions page at the front of each CAT and an overflow page
at the back.
For the calculator on page 2 of the checklists to work, macros security settings
may need to be set to medium before downloading the CAT.
- Intervention studies (2008):
Intervention Studies CAT(313.5KB XLS)
a. model answer of an intervention question CAT, based on a
randomised controlled trial.
Intervention CAT Model Answer(396.0KB XLS)
b. model answer of an intervention question CAT based on a non-randomised
study.
Non-randomised Study Intervention CAT Model Answer(357.5KB XLS)
- Diagnostic Test Accuracy studies (2008):
Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies CAT(330.5KB XLS)
A model answer of a diagnostic test accuracy question CAT
Diagnostic CAT Model Answer(340.5KB XLS)
- Prognostic and risk factor studies (2008):
Prognosis / Risk Factor Studies CAT(293.0KB XLS)
A model answer of a prognostic study question CAT
Prognostic CAT Model Answer(361.0KB XLS)
- Case-control studies (2008):
Case Control Study CAT(304.0KB XLS)
A model answer of the Case Control Study CAT
Case Control Study CAT Model Answer(297.0KB XLS)
A new Generic
Systematic Review CAT has been designed for appraising reviews of all study
types (updated December 2010).
- Systematic review studies (updated February 2011):
Generic Systematic Review CAT(261.5KB XLS)
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Gate-lite
The
GATE-lite forms provided here are one-page
rapid critical appraisal tools that we have derived from the more comprehensive CATs described
above.
GATE-lite forms are designed to be paper-based rather than electronic.
GATE-lite forms (page 1) include a glossary (page 2) and a second ‘very-lite’
version of the forms (last page) that have the detailed appraisal questions
removed. The 'GATE-very LITE' forms provide less direction but more space to
write comments.
- The GATE-lite tool for RCTs can be
used to appraise intervention, risk, prognostic and cross-sectional studies
(February 2011).
GATE-lite for RCTs, Cohort & Cross-sectional Studies(157.8KB PDF)
- The
GATE-lite tool for Diagnostic studies is for appraising test accuracy studies
(November 2010).
GATE-lite for Diagnostic Test Accuracy Studies(501.0KB PDF)
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A CAT checklist for qualitative studies
Inspired by our Quantative CATS, Ann McKillop, a Senior Lecturer in Nursing at
The University of Auckland, has developed:
CAT for Qualitative Studies(239.0KB XLS)
This has now been tested on several classes
of student nurses and we invite you to test it out. Ann has also produced
a
model answer for a Qualitative CAT(254.5KB XLS)
If you have any questions or comments about this new CAT please
contact
Ann McKillop.
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