About EEP
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Essential Evidence Plus is a comprehensive, evidence-based reference designed mainly for primary care clinicians, hospitalists, and emergency and urgent care physicians. It’s also a terrific learning resource for those still in training. The core of EE+ is overviews of over 800 diseases and symptoms (EE+ Topics) that provide clear, evidence-based guidance for the clinician at the point of care. All key recommendations are evidence-graded and each section of an EE+ Topic includes bottom-line recommendations for the busy clinician. Topics are also tightly linked to over 5000 POEMs research summaries, over 8000 summaries from the Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, over 5000 diagnostic test calculators, and over 600 custom clinical decision support tools.
Essential Evidence Topics are your point of entry into Essential Evidence Plus. We have over 800 topics, each addressing a different condition, symptom, or disease. Each Topic begins with the key “Bottom-Line” recommendations so you can quickly learn the most important information to support your decision-making. You can jump quickly to background information, screening and prevention, diagnosis, treatment, prognosis, managing special populations, and guidelines to better target answers to clinical questions at the point-of-care. Moreover, each Essential Evidence Topic is tightly integrated with evidence-based content such as decision support tools, diagnostic calculators, Cochrane Abstracts, POEMs, evidence-based guidelines, and more. You can feel confident in the recommendations because all content contains a "strength of evidence" rating.
You can search EE+ from any page in our site. Results are organized by relevance and by the type of content, with EE+ Topics prioritized at the top of the search. Just click on a tab to see the results for that type of content, such as “Decision Support Tools”. You can also choose to organize results from newest to oldest, which is especially useful if you want to find the latest POEMs or Cochrane reviews for a condition.
Want to explore what’s in EE+? We encourage you to browse the different sections of content including over 800 topics, over 5000 POEMs research summaries, thousands of diagnostic test calculators, and hundreds of clinical decision support tools. Plus, over 8000 summaries of Cochrane reviews are included to inform your practice with the best evidence.
Essential Evidence Plus offers over 500 custom interactive decision support tools for you to use at the point of care. Tools like the Strep Score, MOCA evaluation for dementia, CRB-65 for pneumonia prognosis and the Ottawa Ankle Rules. These decision support tools are designed to help estimate the likelihood of a disease, the probability of benefitting from treatment, a patient’s prognosis, or their risk of developing cancer or heart disease. Below is the CRB-65 risk score for the prognosis of pneumonia in outpatients.
Our diagnostic test calculators are designed to support clinical decision making by helping you make the best use of the history and physical exam, and helping you choose the best diagnostic test for your patient. There are over 2500 focused on signs and symptoms for the diagnosis of common conditions, and an additional 2500 that report the accuracy of diagnostic tests including blood tests, imaging, and cardiovascular studies. They are embedded in interactive calculators that recalculate the post-test probability as you vary the baseline prevalence or likelihood of disease.
POEMs (“Patient-Oriented Evidence that Matters”) Research Summaries are brief, structured summaries of the latest studies with the potential to change your practice. POEMs Research Summaries are based on a monthly review of over 100 journals and are written by our editors, free of industry influence or support. Using Essential Evidence Plus, you will have complete access to the full library of over 5000 POEMs.
Cochrane Systematic Reviews are considered the gold standard for evidence-based medicine. Essential Evidence Plus includes the latest and most up-to-date summaries of systematic reviews from the Cochrane Library, which are the most rigorous and reliable evaluations of medical therapies available. Clinicians will find over 8000 Cochrane Systematic Reviews tightly integrated with the EE+ Topics and other content.
The Derm Expert Image Viewer is designed to help clinicians diagnose dermatological conditions utilizing a series of simple steps. The tool features nearly 1,000 images, along with clear guidelines, to help clinicians quickly and easily identify the right diagnosis for a skin condition.
We’ve created our own enhanced PubMed search that is accessible from the “Evidence” section of each EE+ Topic. It adds a range of filters and quickly returns the best available evidence on a disease or condition. It searches for practice guidelines and systematic reviews, as well as a range of diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis categories.
Editor in Chief
Mark H. Ebell
MD, MS; Professor, University of Georgia, USADr. Mark Ebell is an internationally known expert on evidence-based medicine, primary care research, and medical informatics. The author of over 500 peer reviewed publications and author or co-editor of 8 books, Dr. Ebell serves as editor-in-chief of Essential Evidence. He is also deputy editor of the American Family Physician journal. Prior to joining the faculty at the University of Georgia he was on the faculty at Michigan State University, where he was a Robert Wood Johnson Generalist Physician Faculty Scholar. Dr. Ebell served on the US Preventive Services Task Force from 2012 to 2016 and was a Fulbright Scholar at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland in 2019. His current research interests are acute respiratory infections, screening and prevention, end of life decision-making, and the methodology of systematic reviews. A graduate of the University of Michigan’s medical school and family medicine residency, Dr. Ebell also holds an M.S. in Clinical Research Design and Statistical Analysis from that institution’s School of Public Health.
Deputy Editor
Mindy Smith
MD, MS; Clinical Professor of Family Medicine, Michigan State University, USAMindy A. Smith, MD, MS is a Clinical Professor in the Department of Family Medicine, College of Human Medicine, at Michigan State University. She completed her family medicine residency at Southern Illinois University (Carbondale) and a Master’s Degree in Research Design and Statistical Analysis at the University of Michigan, School of Public Health. She is author of over 50 peer-reviewed publications and over 150 book chapters, and editor of six books and 25 monographs. Her interests include women’s health, post-graduate education, and developing writing and research techniques and programs for faculty and new investigators.
Associate Editors: Primary Care
Steven R. Brown
MD, FAAFP, Program director of the Banner Good Samaritan Family Medicine Residency in Phoenix, Arizona, USADr Brown completed his family medicine residency at UCSF – San Francisco General Hospital. Prior to joining the faculty at Good Sam, he practiced full-spectrum family medicine for four years in rural Northern Arizona, serving the White Mountain Apache Tribe. He was recognized as the 2010 Clinical Sciences Educator of the Year at the University of Arizona-Phoenix, where he is also the Family Medicine Interest Group advisor. He is 2014 Chair of the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Commission of the Health of the Public and Science. Scholarly and teaching interests include evidence-based decision-making at the point of care, physicians and the pharmaceutical industry, and harms from overuse.
Associate Editor: Primary Care
Gary Ferenchick
Professor of Medicine / Director of Just-In-Time, Shared Discovery Program, Michigan State University, USADr Ferenchick has been actively involved in undergraduate medical education for the majority of his career. In addition to being the Internal Medicine Clerkship Director since 1990, he has been active nationally in the Clerkship Directors in Internal Medicine (CDIM) organization, serving as its president in 2000. In 2004 he was awarded the National Award for Scholarship in Medical Education given by the Society of General Internal Medicine, in 2013 the Ruth-Marie E Fincher Service Award from CDIM, and in 2014 the Louis N. Pangaro Educational Program Development Award. He is the author or co-author of more than 30 peer- reviewed journal publications, and is a co-author of the book "Teaching in Your Office". The focus of his scholarly work has been technology aimed at enhancing the frequency and specificity of competency assessments among medical traine
Associate Editor: Primary Care
Kenneth Lin
MD, MPH, Professor of Family Medicine, Georgetown University, USAKenny Lin, MD, MPH is Professor of Family Medicine at Georgetown University and Deputy Editor of American Family Physician. He is a graduate of Harvard University, New York University School of Medicine and the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Dr. Lin completed his family medicine residency at Lancaster General Hospital (PA) and a fellowship in medical editing and faculty development at Georgetown. Dr. Lin serves on the American Academy of Family Physicians’ Science Advisory Panel and the DHHS Advisory Committee on Breast Cancer in Young Women. His areas of expertise include cancer prevention and survivorship, screening guidelines, medical overuse, and diagnostic test interpretation. Dr. Lin writes regular commentaries for Medscape Family Medicine and shares his views on health and health policy topics on his blog, Common Sense Family Doctor.
Associate Editor: Paediatrics
Michelle Hamline
MD, PhD; Assistant Clinical Professor of Pediatrics, University of California, Davis, USADr. Hamline is a Paediatric Hospitalist offering care for children with various medical conditions when they need to be hospitalized. She has a special clinical interest in improving processes of care and has expertise in quality improvement, patient safety, and health services research. Dr. Hamline's research is centered around evaluating processes of care and designing targeted interventions to improve pediatric care in a hospital setting. Her main areas of interest include care transitions, family-centered care, and care pathways. She has expertise in quality improvement, implementation science, and health services research.
Associate Editor: Cardiology
Jonathan R. Murrow
Assistant Professor, Georgia Regents University – University of Georgia Medical Partnership, Athens, Georgia, USADr Murrow is a graduate of Emory University School of Medicine. He completed his residency training in Internal Medicine at Johns Hopkins Hospital, where he served as the Assistant Chief of Service. He completed fellowship training in Cardiovascular Diseases at Emory University. He is an Associate Editor for Essential Evidence. A practicing cardiologist, Dr. Murrow also conducts patient-oriented research in peripheral arterial disease and heart failure.
Associate Editor: Oncology
Noelle Rourke
MD; Consultant and Honorary Senior Lecturer in Clinical Oncology, Beatson Cancer Centre, Glasgow, UKNoelle is a Consultant in Clinical Oncology at the West of Scotland Cancer Centre and an Honorary Senior Lecturer in Oncology at the university of Glasgow. She has been active in clinical research and education for over 20 years with a clinical practice in thoracic oncology and haemato-oncology. Her particular interest is evidence-based medicine and the development and application of guidelines. Noelle is an Editor for the Lung Cancer Group in the International Cochrane Collaboration and in 2021 was appointed National Clinical Lead for the newly established Scottish Cancer Network
Associate Editor: Substance Abuse
Cara Poland
MD, M.Ed; Assistant Professor Michigan State University East Lansing, Michigan, USADr. Cara Poland is a recognized expert in addiction medicine. She earned her medical degree from Wayne State University and was trained in internal medicine at St. Joseph Mercy Hospital in Ann Arbor, Michigan and in addiction medicine at Boston Medical Center in Boston, Massachusetts. She received her master’s degree in education from Boston University. She has an interest in educating healthcare providers and providers-in-training to improve care for patients with substance use disorders particularly during pregnancy and early parenting.
Associate Editor: Skin diseases
Brian Z. Rayala
MD, FAAFP; Professor of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, USADr. Brian Rayala is a Professor in the Department of Family Medicine at the University of North Carolina. He earned his integrated BS-MD degree from the University of the Philippines College of Medicine. He then completed residency training in Family Medicine at Sparrow/Michigan State University in Lansing, Michigan, where he was mentored by the some of the founders of POEMs and Essential Evidence. He spent six years on faculty at Michigan State University and completed a one-year fellowship in Dermatology in 2009. Since 2011, he has been on faculty at the University of North Carolina and, since 2014, he has served as fellowship director of the Career Development Fellowship in Surgical Family Medicine. Brian has written over 50 book chapters and peer-reviewed publications. He also serves as editorial board member for the American Academy of Family Physicians FP Essentials. His clinical interests include dermatology, primary care surgery, and wound medicine. In awe of the outdoors, Brian enjoys trail running, hiking, and alpine skiing.
Associate Editor: POEMs
Henry C. Barry
MD, MS; Professor Emeritus, Michigan State University, USADr.Barry is certified by the American Board of Family Medicine, Dr. Barry specializes in Family Medicine. He earned his degrees from the following universities: University of Maryland (B.S.), University of Michigan (M.S.), University of Maryland (MD). He did his residency at St. Lawrence Hospital in Lansing, Michigan. He is the co-author of a web-based course that introduces the basic concepts of evidence-based medicine, information mastery, and critical appraisal of the medical literature. He teaches all levels of learners, including serving as the director of the EBM curriculum for the MSU Primary Care Faculty Development Fellowship Program, a nine month training program for primary care physicians. He has also received federal funding to develop an innovative medication safety curriculum to medical students. Fond of travel, Dr. Barry is fluent in German and can get by in French!
Associate Editor: POEMs
Linda Speer
MD; Professor and Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of Toledo, USADr. Linda Speer is professor and chair of the Family Medicine Department at the University of Toledo (UT) College of Medicine. She earned her medical degree from Austral University Medical School in Valdivia, Chile and completed her family medicine residency at Oakwood Hospital in Dearborn, Michigan. Dr. Speer is board certified in family medicine. She is an alumnus in the AAMC-sponsored Executive Leadership in Academic Medicine (ELAM) program for the development of women leaders in academic medicine. Dr. Speer is nationally recognized for her expertise in women’s health and evidence-based medicine. Her research interests include medical decision-making regarding menopausal hormone use and breast cancer risk assessment in primary care practice. She has published extensively on varied topics related to women’s health and is a member of the editorial boards of the journals Family Medicine and The Journal of Family Practice.
Associate Editor: POEMs
Nita Shrikant Kulkarni
MD; Assistant Professor, Medicine, Hospital Medicine Division, Northwestern Medical Group, USADr. Nita Shrikant Kulkarni, MD is an internal medicine specialist in Chicago, IL. Dr. Kulkarni completed a residency at McGaw Medical Center of Northwestern University. She currently practices at Northwestern Medical Group and is affiliated with Northwestern Memorial Hospital. She accepts multiple insurance plans. Dr. Kulkarni is board certified in Internal Medicine.
Associate Editor: POEMs
Allen F. Shaughnessy
PharmD, MMedEd; Professor of Family Medicine, Tufts University, USADr. Shaughnessy is Professor of Family Medicine at Tufts University. He received his Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the Medical University of South Carolina. He has completed a faculty development fellowship and the federal government's Department of Health and Human Services Primary Care Health Policy Fellowship. He is a Board Certified Pharmacotherapy Specialist and is a Fellow of the American College of Clinical Pharmacy. Dr. Shaughnessy has been active in research and evidence- based medicine. He has written over 120 papers in the areas of pharmacology, family practice education, prescription writing, and medical information management that have been published in journals such as the Journal of Family Practice, JAMA, British Medical Journal, and American Family Physician. He is the series editor for the American Family Physician's STEPS series of new drug reviews of the Clinical Pharmacology series.
Associate Editor: POEMs
David Slawson
MD; Chair, Department of Family Medicine, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, USADavid C. Slawson, M.D. is the Chair of Family Medicine at Atrium Health, Charlotte Campus. Dr. Slawson and Dr. Allen Shaughnessy were awarded the 2002 Society of Teachers of Family Medicine Innovative Program Award for their work together in developing the Information Mastery curriculum. Dr. Slawson is a graduate of the University of Michigan School of Medicine and completed his postdoctoral training in Family Medicine at the University of Virginia.
Podcast host
Michael Wilkes
MD; Professor of Medicine, University of California, Davis, USADr. Wilkes is widely known for his efforts to introduce medical students to the humanistic side of being a physician, and for working to include the social sciences and clinical reasoning as part of training physicians. He has extensive experience in the development, management, and evaluation of longitudinal, case-based curricula. introduced UCLA’s and UC Davis' Doctoring curriculum, a series of classes and seminars for all four years of medical school. Topics within the curriculum include doctor-patient communication, clinical reasoning and end-of-life care. He served as editor of the Western Journal of Medicine, and as a reviewer for many medical publications. Wilkes is also an award winning journalist having worked for the NY Times, ABC News, CBS News, and currently works for National Public Radio and McClatchy Newspapers. Wilkes' clinical interests are in adolescent medicine.
- Every 4 months, an automated search identifies any new POEMs research summaries and Cochrane reviews relevant to a Topic. Those are emailed to that Topic’s Associate Editor who adds the new information to the Topic.
- Every year (for common, important conditions) to two years (for less common conditions) we perform an extensive update. The evidence summary includes an enhanced PubMed search, a review of practice guidelines, new diagnostic test calculators, and any new decision support tools. This update is done by the original author or the updating author, followed by careful editorial review by the Associate Editor and the Editor-in-Chief of every topic.
- Every year we add about 20 new clinical decision support tools, as well as dozens of new or updated diagnostic test calculators.
We have several ways to get involved with Essential Evidence Plus. While we already have over 800 topics, we have a number that we hope to add in the coming year. We also need to find “updating authors” for topics where the original author has left our project. Updating authors are responsible for updating one or more topics of their choosing on an annual or biennial basis, depending on the topic. This involves reviewing an evidence summary that we provide and updating the topic to assure that it provides the best available evidence for our subscribers. If you are interested in becoming involved, please contact Wiley’s Senior Editor Karen Pettersen ([email protected]). Finally, if you are interested in becoming an editor of Essential Evidence Plus, please forward your resume to the editor-in-chief, Dr. Mark H. Ebell ([email protected]).
Essential Evidence Plus (EE+) delivers evidence-based clinical decision support to your fingertips for the point of care, it has been optimized for your Smartphones and Tablets.
The EE+ website has been enhanced to fit your mobile screen and is included as part of your subscription.
How to add websites to the home screen on a smartphone or tablet
Android:
For an android device simply press the following button and the website will be added to your home sceen.
IOS (iPhone etc):
For an IOS device you have to follow the following steps:
- In your Safari browser go to the website.
- Click on the share icon (see image below).
- Scroll down until you see the add to home screen option.
- Select the "Add to home screen".
This 30-minute podcast features EE+ editor-in-chief Mark Ebell MD, MS, Rush University Associate Professor Kate Rowland MD, InfoPOEMs co-founder Henry Barry MD, MS, and Michigan State University Professor of Internal Medicine Gary Ferenchick MD. Each fast-paced episode features a discussion of at least 3 to 4 POEMs, a quiz, and whatever is on Henry’s mind. Best of all it is free to you and free of advertising. Sign up at Apple Podcasts here or wherever you get your podcasts. Plus, you can get 0.5 CME credits just for listening at the Illinois Academy of Family Physicians’ Online CME Education Web page.
For over 10 years, editor-in-chief Dr. Mark Ebell and editor emeritus Dr. Michael Wilkes of UC Davis and NPR have been bringing you a selected POEM research summary every week. Each episode is only 5 to 10 minutes long and features a brief introduction of the topic by Dr. Wilkes followed by a discussion of the study by both experts. Sign up at Apple Podcasts here or wherever you get your podcasts. This podcast is free to you and free of advertising.
POEM of the week Podcast
Several Essential Evidence Plus editors have created a series of highly interactive, evidence-based CME courses. Delivered around the country, they are built around the latest POEMs research summaries, evidence-based guidelines, and Cochrane reviews. Each fast-paced discussion is 30 minutes and covers 12 to 15 new studies or guidelines. To learn more and for a schedule of upcoming courses please visit our Essential Evidence Update CME Course Web site.
POEMs (Patient Oriented Evidence that Matters) are concise, structured updates of research that is highly relevant because it has the potential to change your practice. POEMs are written monthly by a team of 6 editors, reviewed by experts at the University of Missouri Department. of Family Medicine, and are sent to you within weeks of their original publication. And you can be confident that you are getting the best information, because our entire process is free of industry support or influence.
A new POEM is delivered daily via email. You can also get them in weekly or monthly batches. To sign up for this free service for our subscribers, and to select your frequency, click here .