As we all return to work after the festive season I have been reflecting on the news headlines relating to alcohol consumption and the planned advice on how much people in the UK should limit their drinking to.
This will be based on the latest evidence and guidance, but as healthcare professionals where do we source that evidence?
We are challenged on a daily basis in clinical practice to provide care based on a sound evidence base. This can be a challenge for all of us and with revalidation we will need to show that we are practicing safely and effectively.
So within the specialty of dermatology where do I source the information and how do I ensure that the information I provide to both my patients and my colleagues is current?
Like many of us there are national bodies such as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), our professional networks, groups and peer-reviewed journals.
The challenge with any guidance is that it soon becomes dated and we have to look further afield to ensure we keep up to date.
Within dermatology we are fortunate to have an excellent resource now available to quench our thirst for the latest updates. The Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology (CEBD) at the University of Nottingham produces free monthly evidence updates for dermatology (see Resources section).
CEBD evidence updates highlight new guidelines, systematic reviews and evidence summaries in dermatology, along with new CEBD publications and other key publications that have caught the attention of the CEBD. Chronic wounds and ulcers are also included in the topic scope.
So why don’t you start 2016 by signing up for this excellent resource, or by checking websites like NICE regularly and/or signing up to a journal such as Nursing in Practice – it’s a win win situation for all.
Resources
The Centre of Evidence Based Dermatology, University of Nottingham –
Register/see updates:
