Evidence-based Medical Monitoring: From Principles to Practice

Monitoring of treatments for chronic conditions is an essential and large part of the clinical workload but a neglected area of health research, according to Glasziou (evidence-based medicine, U. of Oxford) and his UK and Australian co-editors. Introductory chapters review the benefits of monitoring, its phases, evaluation, general principles, and strategies studied in clinical trials (handily presented in a summary table). International contributors to two dozen chapters emphasize the role of the patient in the process, and that monitoring requires a theoretical framework for test selection and evaluation to ensure clinical efficacy. They treat monitoring in relation to specific conditions (e.g., diabetes, renal transplantation, pre-eclampsia) and settings such as intensive care. Annotation c2008 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Professor Paul Glasziou, University of Oxford, Department of Primary Health Care and Director of the Centre for Evidence-based Medicine, Oxford. Paul is a leading figure in evidence-based medicine. He teaches courses and organises workshops both at the Centre in Oxford and the other centres around the world (eg McMaster, Bond University- Australia).

Les Irwig, Professor in the School of Public Health, University of Sydney He teaches courses on diagnostic test assessment, meta-analysis and guideline development, and advanced epidemiological methods. He is especially interested in the application of epidemiological methods to provide the evidence on which to base public health and clinical decisions.

Dr Jeffery Aronson, Clinical Reader in Pharmacology, University of Oxford, UK.

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