It can take a long time for new medical research to trickle down to influence how physicians actually practice medicine. Now a medical journal hopes to change that by turning new research evidence into recommendations for how doctors should change their practice.
The BMJ, one of Britain’s top medical journals, has kicked off a new series in which it will follow up on new research quickly with a set of recommendations, according to a journal announcement. The “Rapid Recommendations” will come from a panel made up of patients, doctors, researchers and journal editors.
BMJ published its first set of recommendations based on research on a type of heart value surgery called transcatheter aortic value implantation or TAVI used in patients with heart obstructions. The recommendations are based on a study just published in BMJ.
BMJ is collaborating with MAGIC, a non-profit research and innovation program, to create its recommendations. “We aim to promptly translate emerging research to user friendly and trustworthy recommendations, evidence summaries and decision aids,” according to a journal announcement.
The Rapid Recommendations team from MAGIC, which will include BMJ, will identify studies that might change practice and are of interest to physicians. Researchers will then perform systemic reviews on the benefits and harm of the intervention, risk of important outcomes, and the values and preferences of patients, the journal said. In parallel, a panel will choose the most important outcomes, evaluate evidence and produce recommendations. They will submit the research and recommendations to BMJ for peer review and publication.
One way to help better care for high-risk patients with complex needs is to help providers implement evidence-based best practices, FiercePracticeManagement previously reported.
Another way for healthcare to change medical practice before national guidelines exist--a process that can take time--is with hospital evidence-based practice centers.