Rapid Critical Appraisal for reviewing articles.

Appendix B5: Rapid Critical Appraisal Questions for Cohort Studies

VALIDITY

1. Are the results of the study valid?

a. Was there a representative and well-defined sample of patients at a similar point in the course of the disease?	Yes	No	Unknown
b. Was follow up sufficiently long and complete?	Yes	No	Unknown
c. Were objective and unbiased outcome criteria used?	Yes	No	Unknown
d. Did the analysis adjust for important prognostic risk factors and confounding variables?	Yes	No	Unknown
Comments

RELIABILITY

2. What are the results?

a. What is the magnitude of the relationship between predictors (i.e., prognostic indicators) and targeted outcome?

b. How likely is the outcome event(s) in a specified period of time? - _______

c. How precise are the study estimates?

APPLICABILITY

3. Will the results help me in caring for my patients?

a. Were the study patients similar to my own?	Yes	No	Unknown
b. Will the results lead directly to selecting or avoiding therapy?	Yes	No	Unknown
c. Are the results useful for reassuring or counseling patients?	Yes	No	Unknown
Comments

Would you use the study results in your practice to make a difference in patient outcomes?

· If yes, how?

· If yes, why?

· If no, why not?

Additional Comments/Reflections:

Recommendation for article use within a body of evidence:

© Fineout-Overholt & Melnyk, 2009 This form may be used for educational, practice change & research purposes without permission