Finding Current Best Evidence in Endocrinology

Abstract

Two years ago we presented various resources likely to provide the best research evidence concerning endocrine disorders (1). At the time, an already overwhelming array of resources existed and have since grown. Clinicians are bombarded by information arriving by regular mail and e-mail, in educational rounds and seminars, and through countless other avenues. Many resources make claims to be “evidence-based” or “the only resource you need,” and quite often they are free. With such an onslaught of information, how can you pay attention to any of them, let alone summon the time and energy to sort through all of them to find resources truly useful to your own clinical practice? Indeed, a recent study of primary care literature indicated that 627.5 h of physician effort would be required to evaluate the 7287 articles published per month in five primary care journal review services (2). The plethora of evidence-based resources now available means that more than ever, clinicians must be discriminating about how to make best use of them.