Having an understanding of critical appraisal and evidence-based medicine is a prerequisite to being an effective clinician. However, critical appraisal is often taught by people not involved in day-to-day clinical care, meaning the clinical relevance is not always brought to the fore. This book takes a different approach. It is written by clinicians, for clinicians. It takes the reader step by step through the process so that any journal article can be easily read, evidence evaluated and the results - and their reliability - truly understood. By integrating this with knowledge of local skills and resources and patient preference, the reader will be able to apply the best possible care that his or her patients deserve. This accessible book is suitable for undergraduates and postgraduates of all medical specialties, nursing, paramedics, pharmacists and all allied health professions. It is the ideal reference for anyone needing help writing a clinical topic review, reviewing a paper in a journal club or preparing for a critical appraisal exam. But most importantly, it is essential for those who wish to practice medicine in the best possible way for their patients, using the best evidence, tailored to the individual.

The ability to read a paper, judge its quality, the importance of its result, and make a decision about whether to change practice based on the information given is a core skill for all doctors. To be able to do this quickly and efficiently is without doubt a skill needed by all time-pressured emergency physicians and one which is tested in the Fellowship of the College of Emergency Medicine (FCEM) examination.
This book is the essential revision source for all those wanting to pass the critical appraisal section of the FCEM and will be a useful tool for all emergency physicians who want a refresher on critical appraisal, as well as those who wish to excel in their MCEM examination.

• Become truly competent in critical appraisal
• Go to the next level and excel with more advanced information provided in Spods' Corner
• Invaluable help for all those writing their Critical Topic Review
• Text and practice your knowledge using the two fictitious practice papers
• Help is at hand via the glossary which explains terms that regularly come up in scientific papers but are often not explained

With its relaxed conversational style yet crammed with essential information, key tips, and advice, this book is an essential purchase for all those wanting to pass and achieve examination success in their FCEM and MCEM examinations.

This book represents a brilliant primer and the tools and skills it equips the clinician with are designed to help them navigate the uncertainties of medical practice today. It is essential for those who wish to practice medicine in the best possible way for their patients.