Critical Appraisal Template
Prognosis Article
Clinical Question:
Reference: 1st 2 authors et al, title, journal, date (including date of month), volume, page range.
Design – RCT / controlled not randomized / cohort / case series / case report / prospective vs. retrospective
Setting – type of hospital / location
Patient Population – number / inclusion criteria / exclusion criteria,
screening/enrollment methods, number screened vs number enrolled
Description of prognostic factors considered
Analysis – statistical models
Outcomes – primary and secondary
Follow-up – duration / completeness, accounting of patients
Was the patient sample clearly defined, representative of clinical practice, and captured at a similar point in disease progression?
Was duration of follow-up sufficient? Were all patients accounted for?
Were outcome criteria objective and unbiased relative to the prognostic factors?
Was their adjustment for linked prognostic factors?
Were patients in the study treated similarly?
Do the study population characteristics describe your patient?
How likely are the outcomes during a specified period of follow-up?
How precise are the likelihood estimates?
Hazard or Odds Ratios, Kaplan-Meier curves if available.
Strengths and Weaknesses of Study (internal and external validity)
Study in context of other available literature and/or current standard-of’care
Can the study results change management or counseling of the patient?
Next steps for further study of this problem
Pathophysiologic considerations