Given the numerous resources designed to aid clinical decision making, I often wonder where to start looking for information on some occasions and when to stop on others. It is challenging to integrate best evidence in practice given the time restraints and limited resources in general practice. Look it up! is enlightening because it provides guidance on effectively finding answers to reach value judgements for patients by navigating the rapidly evolving and enormous repertoire of digital health information.
The book is an easy read — structured in a case scenario format filled with relevant examples from general practice, such as cancer screening and polypharmacy. It is filled with clinical pearls along the way, and I learnt more by trying to solve the cases by putting my own research strategies to the test before reading the answers provided. Aimed at anyone with an interest in the topic, the book is very digestible as it largely avoids jargon.
The book’s last chapter describes a future in which technology will be married to all aspects of clinical practice in the next 20 years. This is something I find hard to believe because of its simplistic view of the economic and social contexts that enable change. Case in point: not every medical service in the NHS is paperless despite millions of pounds having been invested over the years to achieve this vision.
The book is filled with resources used commonly in North America. Nonetheless, the principles apply across borders so it will be a valuable read for GPs in the UK who want to provide evidence-based care to their patients using technology. Given the tremendous societal and professional expectations for the doctor to know everything, I found the book reassuring because it explains why it is OK — even better — to Look it up!
- © British Journal of General Practice 2018