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All 5 Key Questions

In the table below we have provided you examples of questions relating to each of the 5 key outcomes. If you were a patient greater than 45 years of age with a history of coronary artery disease (CAD) like our scenario, the questions would be as follows:

Safety, Tolerance, Efficacy, Price, Convenience

Note: the first three questions on safety, tolerability and efficacy usually involve looking at the best available research and applying it to your circumstances and preferences. The last two questions on price and convenience relate mostly to your capabilities and preferences alone.

After considering all five outcomes with your physician, you have a much more comprehensive understanding of whether the new drug is the best option for you. You will know:

1. whether it has been tested to be more effective than the current best standard therapy;

2. what the safety issues are;

3. what the potential side effects are and whether you can tolerate them;

4. whether you can afford the medication or whether your health plan covers it; and finally,

5. how often and how you have to take the drug and whether it will be convenient for you.

All of these factors are important and should be discussed in consultation with your health care provider to determine what is best for you.

What if you don’t know what is the current best standard therapy or what new therapies exist for your condition? You can get more information and discuss options with your healthcare provider. In addition you can Find broad-focused summaries that provide this information so that you can properly frame your question.

Next, we learn how to find the evidence to answer your health questions. Click on Find or use the Find navigation link under the EBM Resource Center icon in the top left hand corner of this page. This will take you to a drill-down search strategy and many of the resources your healthcare providers use, so you can retrieve higher quality information to discuss with them.

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All 5 Key Questions