Critical Appraisal of a Research Paper

Whether studying for your professional examinations or planning the care of your patients, critical appraisal is a vital skill for healthcare professionals. Evidence based healthcare involves the integration of the best available evidence, clinical experience and patient preference when making decisions related to patient care. Research papers provide information on current practice and new developments in the diagnosis, prevention and treatment of disease. It is a fundamental skill to be able to identify and appraise the best available evidence in order to integrate it with your own clinical experience and patients values. In this article we hope to provide you with a robust and simple process for assessing the trustworthiness of articles and assessing their value to your clinical practice.