Systematic literature reviews (SLRs) are the foundation of evidence-based healthcare. Explicit methods need to be implemented while conducting SLRs to minimize bias in order to provide more reliable findings, since reduction of bias may affect all steps of the review process. For instance, bias can occur while identifying/screening studies, selecting studies (e.g. due to unclear […]
Use of multiple databases together with additional search strategies is often suggested to search relevant references for systematic reviews. (1,2) For instance, the Cochrane Handbook recommends using at least MEDLINE and Cochrane Central as well as EMBASE, when available, to search randomized controlled trials (RCTs). (3) However, using multiple databases can be strenuous and time […]
Value-based healthcare is driven by ‘meaningful’ treatment that matters to the patient. The purpose of value-based healthcare is not minimizing the costs, but maximizing the ‘value’, which is defined by “patient outcomes divided by cost”; (1) thus emphasizing on a patient’s importance. (2) The progress in efficient healthcare services relies to a great extent on […]
Systematic literature reviews (SLRs) have always been amongst preferred tools for policy and decision makers owing to their quality of evidence as well as the ability to provide knowledge-base in terms of clinical practice guidelines as well as policy briefs. However, strict methodology followed during the conduct of an SLR can impact its duration, which […]
Systematic literature reviews (SLRs) are classically conducted with an aim of mapping the complete evidence base of a particular healthcare intervention, which enables an impartial evaluation of the evidence and lays the foundation for strong recommendations. The initial step in achieving this aim, while carrying out an SLR, is to conduct an extensive literature search […]
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is gaining wide acceptance from researchers globally as it thoroughly optimizes the latest available evidence to make informed care decisions. This involves evaluating the quality of the clinical data by critically assessing methodologies reported in publications. Moreover, EBM incorporates both clinical expertise as well as patient values. Meta-analyses of RCTs often make […]
In the US, ‘pay-for-performance’ (P4P) programs have gained popularity among healthcare policymakers as well as private and public players, including Medicaid and Medicare. The term ‘pay-for-performance’ covers all the initiatives that contribute to the quality, efficacy, and overall value of healthcare. (1) These programs provide financial incentives or disincentives to providers or institutions as per […]
With forthcoming elections, Mr. Piyush Goyal presented interim Budget for the FY 2019-20. Though the background of the Budget was Elections (which will take place in next couple of months), the interim Budget emphasizes on the Government’s vision to impart higher and sustained economic growth by utilizing the capital in building infrastructure, rural industrialization, farm […]
For many businesses, trade and commerce ideas are still trapped in Victorian era in spite of ever increasing IT-reliance. Whether it is a business settlement, transfer of property ownership or resolving an insurance claim, composite business processes can take days to complete and require volumes of repetitive, tedious paper-based work. All these processes, however, need […]
