Levels of evidence and grades of recommendation supporting European society for medical oncology clinical practice guidelines

Background:The European Society for Medical Oncology(ESMO)guidelines are among the most comprehensive and widely used clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)globally.However,the level of scientific evidence supporting ESMO CPG recommendations has not been systematically investigated.This study assessed ESMO CPG levels of evidence(LOE)and grades of recommendations(GOR),as well as their trends over time across various cancer settings.Methods:We manually extracted every recommendation with the Infectious Diseases Society of America(IDSA)classification from each CPG.We examined the distribution of LOE and GOR in all available ESMO CPG guidelines across different topics and cancer types.Results:Among the 1,823 recommendations in the current CPG,30%were classified as LOEⅠ,and 43%were classified as GOR A.Overall,there was a slight decrease in LOEⅠ(−2%)and an increase in the proportion of GOR A(+1%)in the current CPG compared to previous versions.The proportion of GOR A recommendations based on higher levels of evidence such as randomized trials(LOEⅠ–Ⅱ)shows a decrease(71%vs.63%,p=0.009)while recommendations based on lower levels of evidence(LOEⅢ–Ⅴ)show an increase(29%vs.37%,p=0.01)between previous and current version.In the current versions,the highest proportion of LOEⅠ(42%)was found in recommendations related to pharmacotherapy,while the highest proportion of GOR A recommendations was found in the areas of pathology(50%)and diagnostic(50%)recommendations.Significant variability in LOEⅠand GOR A recommendations and their changes over time was observed across different cancer types.Conclusion:One-third of the current ESMO CPG recommendations are supported by the highest level of evidence.More well-designed randomized clinical trials are needed to increase the proportion of LOEⅠand GOR A recommendations,ultimately leading to improved outcomes for cancer patients.

Research on the development methodology for clinical practice guidelines for organic integration of traditional Chinese medicine and Western medicine

Integrated traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)and Western medicine(WM)is a new medical science grounded in the knowledge bases of both TCM and WM,which then forms a unique modern medical system in China.Integrated TCM and WM has a long history in China,and has made important achievements in the process of clinical diagnosis and treatment.However,the methodological defects in currently published clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)limit its development.The organic integration of TCM and WM is a deeper integration of TCM and WM.To realize the progression of"integration"to"organic integration",a targeted and standardized guideline development methodology is needed.Therefore,the purpose of this study is to establish a standardized development procedure for clinical practice guidelines for the organic integration of TCM and WM to promote the systematic integration of TCM and WM research results into clinical practice guidelines in order to achieve optimal results as the whole is greater than the sum of the parts.

Factors influencing the continuity of evidence-based practice in perioperative airway management for elderly patients with fractures:A qualitative study

BACKGROUND More and more evidence-based practices are emerging,but researchers mostly focus on short-term effects,resulting in evidence-based practices not being applied in the clinic in the long term.In this study,we took the evidence-based practice of perioperative airway management in elderly fracture patients as an example and adopted a descriptive phenomenological approach to understand the influencing factors of its sustainability to provide a reference basis for promoting the continuity of evidence-based practice in the clinic.AIM To explore factors influencing the persistence of evidence-based practice in perioperative airway management in elderly patients with fractures.METHODS This study was qualitative research.Nine nurses who implemented evidencebased practice in the orthopedic ward of a tertiary comprehensive hospital in Shanghai from September 2023 to October 2023 were selected using purposive sampling as research subjects.Semi-structured interviews were conducted with them,and the data were analyzed using the Colaizzi phenomenological analysis method based on the three dimensions and ten factors of the NHS sustainability model.RESULTS Three main themes and ten subthemes were identified:Process aspects(benefits to patients,benefits to nurses,lack of follow-up,complex processes);staff aspects(insufficient human resources,inadequate training and education,lack of leadership support);and organizational environment aspects(inadequate infrastructure,poor patient compliance,poor doctor cooperation).CONCLUSION Human resources,training and education,leadership support,infrastructure,and patient-physician collaboration are important factors influencing the sustainability of evidence-based practice for perioperative airway management in older patients with fractures.

Evidence-Based Nursing Practice of Reducing Immune-Related Skin Toxicity of Tumor Patients Guided by Sensitive Indicators

Purpose research on nursing sensitive indicators in tumor Patients application effect in immune-related skin toxicity management. Method select our hospital April to June, 202360 cases patients with immune therapy settings as the control group. August-October, 2023 60 cases the patients treated with immune therapy were the experimental group. The control group adopted regular nursing methods, while the experimental group sensitive Indicators, evidence-based give preventive care. The social situation, psychological state, physical function, quality of life score, incidence of skin toxicity caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors, moderate and above of the two groups of patients were compared. Incidence of skin toxicity. Result: experience group SAS score, SDS score higher than the control group, the difference was statistically significant (P < 0.05);The incidence of skin toxic reactions caused by immune checkpoint inhibitors and the incidence of moderate and above skin toxic reactions in the experimental group are lower than those in the control group, and the difference is statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusion: sensitive indicator guidance evidence-based preventive care can reduce the degree of immune-related skin toxicity, improve the psychological state and quality of life of tumor patients treated with immune therapy and reduce the incidence of adverse reactions, improve nursing quality and patient satisfaction.

Necessary prerequisites for evidence-based practice:results of investigating nurses'informatics competency and information literacy skills

This study aimed to evaluate the correlation between nursing informatics(NI)competency and information literacy skills for evidencebased practice(EBP)among intensive care nurses.This cross-sectional study was conducted on 184 nurses working in intensive care units(ICUs).The study data were collected through demographic information,Nursing Informatics Competency Assessment Tool(NICAT),and information literacy skills for EBP questionnaires.The intensive care nurses received competent and low-moderate levels for the total scores of NI competency and information literacy skills,respectively.They received a moderate score for the use of different information resources but a low score for information searching skills,different search features,and knowledge about search operators,and only 31.5%of the nurses selected the most appropriate statement.NI competency and related subscales had a significant direct bidirectional correlation with information literacy skills for EBP and its subscales(P<0.05).Nurses require a high level of NI competency and information literacy for EBP to obtain up-to-date information and provide better care and decision-making.Health planners and policymakers should develop interventions to enhance NI competency and information literacy skills among nurses and motivate them to use EBP in clinical settings.

Nurses’ and midwives’ participation and utilization of health-related research in Kenya: Implications for evidence-based practice

Objective To assess the level of participation of nurses and midwives in health-related research,determine the status of utilization of research to inform nursing and midwifery practice in Kenya,and explore perspectives of nurses and midwives about strategies to empower nurses/midwives to engage in health research in Kenya.Methods Data were extracted from online survey responses of 156 nurse and midwife educators,practitioners,and managers/administrators.SPSS version 26 was used to analyze quantitative data;qualitative data were analyzed using Excel to organize data into categories.Results Over one-third of participants reported ever publishing research(37.2%,58/156).Participants reported using knowledge gained in nursing school to guide practice most frequently(n=148).Utilization of research findings to guide practice was reported by 80.3%(110/137)of participants.Strategies to enhance participation in the research included research training,research forums,policy reforms,and emphasis on research in curricula.Conclusions There is need to intensify and prioritize proposed strategies to empower nurses/midwives to engage in health research.

Validation of short version of evidence-based practice instruments among nurses in clinical practice:Evidence-based practice beliefs,implementation,and organizational culture

Objective:The objective of the study is to validate the short version of evidence-based practice(EBP)instruments among nurses in clinical practice.Methods:An institutional-based cross-sectional research design was used and a stratified sampling technique to select 285 nurse clinicians.The study utilized a structured questionnaire comprising of demographic data from the participants and three validated scales:the shortened versions of the EBP Beliefs Scale,the EBP Implementation Scale,and the Organizational Culture and Readiness for System-Wide Integration of Evidence-Based Practice(OCRSIEP)survey.With the use of descriptive statistics,the data were analyzed and presented in frequencies and percentages,while inter-item correlation coefficient(ICC)and the Kaiser-Meyer-Olkin measure of sampling adequacy were used to confirm the validity of using factor analysis.Results:Findings revealed the mean scores of the EBP Beliefs Scale ranged from 1.50 to 1.61,EBP Implementation Scale ranged from 1.84 to 1.94,and the OCRSIEP Scale ranged from 1.93 to 2.19.All the three shortened scales accordingly had good internal reliability,29.30±9.93 out of 80 for the EBP Beliefs Scale,19.56±7.37 out of 72 for the EBP Implementation Scale,and 66.32±20.35 out of 125 for the OCRSIEP Scale.Conclusion:This study has generated a valid Short Version of EBP reliable instrument that is psychometrically robust that can be used by nurses and clinicians to evaluate EBP in clinical settings since the results presented as a whole confirmed the high reliability and factorial validity.

New evidence-based practice:Artificial intelligence as a barrier breaker

The concept of evidence-based practice has persisted over several years and remains a cornerstone in clinical practice,representing the gold standard for optimal patient care.However,despite widespread recognition of its significance,practical application faces various challenges and barriers,including a lack of skills in interpreting studies,limited resources,time constraints,linguistic competencies,and more.Recently,we have witnessed the emergence of a groundbreaking technological revolution known as artificial intelligence.Although artificial intelligence has become increasingly integrated into our daily lives,some reluctance persists among certain segments of the public.This article explores the potential of artificial intelligence as a solution to some of the main barriers encountered in the application of evidence-based practice.It highlights how artificial intelligence can assist in staying updated with the latest evidence,enhancing clinical decision-making,addressing patient misinformation,and mitigating time constraints in clinical practice.The integration of artificial intelligence into evidence-based practice has the potential to revolutionize healthcare,leading to more precise diagnoses,personalized treatment plans,and improved doctor-patient interactions.This proposed synergy between evidencebased practice and artificial intelligence may necessitate adjustments to its core concept,heralding a new era in healthcare.

Clinical practice guideline dissemination and a new approach using Haddon matrix as a conceptual framework of evidence-based implementation strategies

To err is human. Clinical practice guidelines （CPGs） are often not followed and lead to adverse outcomes. The issue on implementation of CPG is complex. A review of CPG implementation is done to identify the barriers and enablers. For the first time, a fishbone diagram is used to delineate the root-causes. And Haddon matrix is applied to help understand the complexity of evidence-based implementation （EBI） strategies.

Practice guidelines for ultrasound-guided percutaneous microwave ablation for hepatic malignancy

Primary liver cancer and liver metastases are among the most frequent malignancies worldwide,with an increasing number of new cases and deaths every year.Traditional surgery is only suitable for a limited proportion of patients and imaging-guided percutaneous thermal ablation has achieved optimistic results for management of hepatic malignancy.This synopsis outlines the first clinical practice guidelines for ultrasoundguided percutaneous microwave ablation therapy for hepatic malignancy,which was created by a joint task force of the Society of Chinese Interventional Ultrasound.The guidelines aim at standardizing the microwave ablation procedure and therapeutic efficacy assessment,as well as proposing the criteria for the treatment candidates.

Practice guidelines for the pathological diagnosis of primary liver cancer: 2015 update

In 2010, a panel of Chinese pathologists reported the first expert consensus for the pathological diagnosis of primary liver cancers to address the many contradictions and inconsistencies in the pathological characteristics and diagnostic criteria for PLC. Since then considerable clinicopathological studies have been conducted globally, prompting us to update the practice guidelines for the pathological diagnosis of PLC. In April 18, 2014, a Guideline Committee consisting of 40 specialists from seven Chinese Societies(including Chinese Society of Liver Cancer, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Liver Cancer Study Group, Chinese Society of Hepatology, Chinese Medical Association; Chinese Society of Pathology, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Digestive Disease Group, Chinese Society of Pathology, Chinese Medical Association; Chinese Society of Surgery, Chinese Medical Association; Chinese Society of Clinical Oncology, Chinese Anti-Cancer Association; Pathological Group of Hepatobiliary Tumor and Liver Transplantation, Chinese Society of Pathology, Chinese Medical Association) was created for the formulation of the first guidelines for the standardization of the pathological diagnosis of PLC, mainly focusing on the following topics: gross specimen sampling, concepts and diagnostic criteria of small hepatocellular carcinoma(SHCC), microvascular invasion(MVI), satellite nodules,and immunohistochemical and molecular diagnosis. The present updated guidelines are reflective of current clinicopathological studies, and include a novel 7-point baseline sampling protocol, which stipulate that at least four tissue specimens should be sampled at the junction of the tumor and adjacent liver tissues in a 1:1 ratio at the 12, 3, 6 and 9 o'clock reference positions. For the purposes of molecular pathological examination, at least one specimen should be sampled at the intratumoral zone, but more specimens should be sampled for tumors harboring different textures or colors. Specimens should be sampled at both adjacent and distant peritumoral liver tissues or the tumor margin in order to observe MVI, satellite nodules and dysplastic foci/nodules distributed throughout the background liver tissues. Complete sampling of whole SHCC ≤ 3 cm should be performed to assess its biological behavior, and in clinical practice, therapeutic borders should be also preserved, even in SHCC. The diagnostic criteria of MVI and satellite nodules, immunohistochemical panels, as well as molecular diagnostic principles, such as clonal typing, for recurrent HCC and multinodule HCC were also proposed and recommended. The standardized process of pathological examination is aimed at ensuring the accuracy of pathological PLC diagnoses as well as providing a valuable frame of reference for the clinical assessment of tumor invasive potential, the risk of postoperative recurrence, long-term survival, and the development of individualized treatment regimens. The updated guidelines could ensure the accuracy of pathological diagnoses of PLC, and provide a valuable frame of reference for its clinical assessment.

Implementation strategies to improve evidence-based practice for post-stroke dysphagia identification and management:A before-andafter study

Objectives Even though guidelines are available to guide dysphagia identification and management practice,there is still a gap between evidence and practice,which requires improvement.The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of using tailored,multifaceted strategies to improve evidence-based post-stroke dysphagia identification and management practice in a community hospital.Methods Guided by the Knowledge to Action framework,the tailored,multifaceted strategies were developed and implemented for 5 months in a community hospital using a before-and-after study design.These strategies consisted of training intervention,policy intervention,and audit and feedback intervention.Nurses’level of knowledge and adherence,were collected in March 2019 and again in January 2020.Patients’quality of life and satisfaction were evaluated during the pre-intervention period(between February 2019 and April 2019)and the post-intervention period(between November 2019 and January 2020).Results A total of 55 patients with post-stroke dysphagia(28 in the pre-intervention period and 27 in the post-intervention period)and 17 registered nurses were recruited.Following implementation,there were statistically significant improvements in patients’outcomes(quality of life and satisfaction)and nurses’outcomes(level of knowledge and adherence).Conclusions This study assists in closing the research-practice gap by using tailored,multifaceted strategies to increase the use of evidence-based nursing care for dysphagia identification and management practices.

Clinical practice guidelines for the interventional treatment of advanced pancreatic cancer(5^(th)edition)

Pancreatic cancer has become a major disease affecting people’s health because of its insidiousness,rapid progression and poor prognosis.Based on the practical needs of clinical work,combined with domestic multi-center research and experience,this guideline provides constructive suggestions for the interventional treatment of pancreatic cancer.

Needs assessment and expectations regarding evidence-based practice knowledge acquisition and training activities:A cross-sectional study of healthcare personnel in China

Objectives Evidence-based healthcare contributes to the improvement of healthcare quality and informs healthcare decision-making.The provision of timely high-quality evidence is always required to fulfil the ever-changing needs and expectations of healthcare personnel.This study aimed to assess the needs and expectations of healthcare personnel regarding evidence-based healthcare in China.Methods We conducted a cross-sectional online survey from December 8,2020 to January 15,2021 involving 901 participants across China.Healthcare providers,policy makers,researchers and educators,and full-time postgraduate medical and nursing students working/living in China were eligible to participate.A self-developed questionnaire was used.Results Participants generally agreed that health-related research evidence was beneficial.Evidence-based resources,such as Cochrane resources,were only known or used by about half of the respondents due to difficulties related to availability and accessibility.Various types of resources,topics of evidence,and themes of workshops were of particular interest to most of the participants.Conclusions The dissemination and translation of evidence,provision of more support in evidence availability,offering evidence-based training,and determining the most in-demand research areas have been identified as priority areas of work which could fulfil the needs and expectations of healthcare personnel in China.

On Treatment Patterns for Modeling Medical Treatment Processes in Clinical Practice Guidelines

Clinical practice guidelines(CPGs)contain evidence-based and economically reasonable medical treatment processes.Executable medical treatment processes in healthcare information systems can assist the treatment processes.To this end,business process modeling technologies have been exploited to model medical treatment processes.However,medical treatment processes are usually flexible and knowledge-intensive.To reduce the effort in modeling,we summarize several treatment patterns(i.e.,frequent behaviors in medical treatment processes in CPGs),and represent them by three process modeling languages(i.e.,BPMN,DMN,and CMMN).Based on the summarized treatment patterns,we propose a pattern-based integrated framework for modeling medical treatment processes.A modeling platform is implemented to support the use of treatment patterns,by which the feasibility of our approach is validated.An empirical analysis is discussed based on the coverage rates of treatment patterns.Feedback from interviewed physicians in a Chinese hospital shows that executable medical treatment processes of CPGs provide a convenient way to obtain guidance,thus assisting daily work for medical workers.

The concept of narrative evidence-based medicine and shared decision-making in traditional Chinese medical practice

For the explosive development of emerging diagnostic and therapeutic technologies brought by the advancement of precision medicine strategy, shared decision-making could improve the quality of clinical decision-making and promote the transformation of clinical research evidence in TCM. Paying attention to patients＇ narrative needs and strengthening medical humanistic concerns could improve clinical outcome and patient satisfaction. We described the origins and development of evidence-based medicine, narrative medicine and shared decision-making, and analyzed the existing problems in TCM clinical decision-making. Further, we put forward the model of shared decision-making between clinicians and patients under the guidance of narrative evidence-based medicine concepts and methods.

Chinese version of NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology officially authorized by NCCN

The publishing conference of the Chinese version of National Comprehensive Cancer Network （NCCN） Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology （hereinafter referred to as NCCN Guidelines） and the inaugural peer reviewer meeting of NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology： Digestive System Cancers （hereinafter referred to as NCCN Guidelines on Digestive System Cancers） were held in People＇s Medical Publishing House in January 28^th, 2016 （Figure 1）.

Enhancing Evidence-Based Practice and Critical Thinking Skills of Nursing Students: Lessons from the Review of the Bachelor of Science in Nursing Curriculum of the University of Zambia

Background: Making changes in the existing curriculum aims, objectives, course contents learning outcomes and assessment strategies have become a fact of life for nurse educators. Purpose: To enhance the existing Bachelor of Science (BSc) in nursing curriculum through integration of evidence-based practice (EBP) and teaching of critical thinking skills. Materials and Methods: A needs analysis was conducted using a five-phased approach to review the BSc in nursing Curriculum. Kern’s six-step model was adapted and introduced through a series of workshop exercises that highlighted the application of each step: 1) Desk review of the BSc curriculum offered globally;2) Administration of the needs assessment questionnaire to key informants;3) Strengths, weakness, opportunities and threat analysis;4) Consultative meeting with major stakeholders;5) Curriculum review. Results: The five-phased approach established some gaps in existing curricula, and identified critical core competences and best practices in integrating EPB and critical thinking in the BSc undergraduate curriculum and some “A” level content that was not in tandem with the practice of nurses. New courses were developed to support students in academic writing and enhance professionalism and duration of training was reduced from 5 to 4 years. Conclusion: The process demonstrated that BSc curriculum review, in fact, should be thoroughly scrutinized to encourage positive changes to the curriculum, provide opportunities for team building and the development of leadership skills and a whole-of course perspective on the curriculum.

Colorectal surgeon consensus with diverticulitis clinical practice guidelines

AIM To determine the application of clinical practice guidelines for the current management of diverticulitis and colorectal surgeon specialist consensus in Australia and New Zealand.METHODS A survey was distributed to 205 colorectal surgeons in Australia and New Zealand, using 22 hypothetical clinical scenarios.RESULTS The response rate was 102(50%). For 19 guidelinebased scenarios, only 11(58%) reached consensus(defined as > 70% majority opinion) and agreed with guidelines; while 3(16%) reached consensus and did not agree with guidelines. The remaining 5(26%) scenarios showed community equipoise(defined as less than/equal to 70% majority opinion). These included diagnostic imaging where CT scan was contraindicated, management options in the failureof conservative therapy for complicated diverticulitis, surgical management of Hinchey grade 3, proximal extent of resection in sigmoid diverticulitis and use of oral mechanical bowel preparation and antibiotics for an elective colectomy. The consensus areas not agreeing with guidelines were management of simple diverticulitis, management following the failure of conservative therapy in uncomplicated diverticulitis and follow-up after an episode of complicated diverticulitis. Fifty-percent of rural/regional based surgeons would perform an urgent sigmoid colectomy in failed conservative therapy of diverticulitis compared to only 8% of surgeons city-based(Fisher's exact test P = 0.016). In right-sided complicated diverticulitis, a greater number of those in practice for more than ten years would perform an ileocecal resection and ileocolic anastomosis(79% vs 41%, P < 0.0001).CONCLUSION While there are areas of consensus in diverticulitis management, there are areas of community equipoise for future research, potentially in the form of RCTs.

Knowledge,attitude and behaviour to evidence-based practice among psychiatric nurses:A cross-sectional survey

Objective To identify the status of knowledge,attitude,and behaviour toward evidence-based practice(EBP)among Chinese psychiatric nurses,and to examine the influencing factors of EBP behaviour.Methods We utilised a cross-sectional design.A total of 923 psychiatric nurses from 168 hospitals in 27 provinces in the mainland of China participated in our survey.The EBP questionnaire,the barriers to research utilisation scale and the facilitators to research utilisation scale were used for data collection via WeChat group from July 2018 to April 2019.Multiple regression analysis was used to analyse the influencing factors of psychiatric nurses’evidence-based practice behaviour.Results The score of Chinese psychiatric nurses’EBP attitude,behaviour and knowledge were 4.81±1.34,4.11±1.36 and 3.53±1.29,respectively.Multiple regression analysis showed that nurses’EBP behaviour was mainly determined by knowledge and attitude,which together explained 61.8%of the variance.The two top barriers were the dimensions of presentation and research.Facilitators include managerial support,employing nurses with research skills as models and providing advanced education on evidence-based nursing.Conclusion Psychiatric nurses have positive attitudes toward EBP,but their level of knowledge and behaviour is insufficient.Heavy workload,insufficient time,and a lack of knowledge and skills is the main barrier.Managerial support,employing nurses with research skills as models and providing advanced education are the main facilitators.