The BMJ is launching an online point-of-care decision support tool that aims to provide immediate access to expert opinion, guidelines and the latest evidence.
Best Practice has been built for doctors and clinicians to use as they are working with patients. It aims to deliver information in “bite-size chunks” to people in settings such as A&E departments or general practice.
It includes expert opinions written and reviewed by internationally renowned specialists, the latest evidence from the BMJ’s Clinical Evidence, and coverage of more than 10,000 different diagnoses. There are also patient leaflets and prescribing information.
Dr Charles Young, editor in chief of Best Practice, told EHI Primary Care that it aimed to fill a gap in existing information resources by providing the highest quality clinical information in an easy-to-use format.
He added: “When you look for information on the internet you can often find the answer to your question, but it’s not always so clear where the information comes from. Best Practice presents top quality and believable information backed by BMJ Evidence, with the highest quality expert opinion peer reviewed.”
Dr Young said Best Practice had been designed to ensure that users can find the information they need as soon as quickly as possible.
“Our mission is giving the user the information they need straight away,” he added.
Best practice also integrates with the drug formularies the BNF and Martindale, allows local guidelines and links to be added, and the potential for links to electronic health records.
Dr Hamish Meldrum, chair of BMA Council, said: “Doctors are keen to ensure that their work is linked as firmly as possible to the latest and most reliable evidence.
“Best Practice allows them to do this in an instant, without the need for checking multiple resources, making it easier for clinicians and patients to make informed treatment decisions together.”
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