Reading Between the Lines: Navigating Nuance in Medical Literature to Optimize Clinical Decision-Making and Health Care Outcomes

Research-based articles published in medical journals are key to communicating the results of clinical trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. But there are challenges inherent in the communication process. While clinicians rely on the information they read in medical journals to help guide clinical decision-making, most are overwhelmed by the amount of information being published and many receive only limited training on how to critically assess what they read. This can result in suboptimal clinical decision-making, leading to inefficient use of health care resources, avoidance of interventions that may be indicated and useful, or use of interventions that do more harm than good. A literature search of PubMed(®) was conducted to answer the question, what are the challenges affecting the interpretation of clinical trial results reported in the medical literature that may adversely affect clinical decision making and patient outcomes and how can those challenges be overcome? Results of this review indicate it remains challenging for readers to fully appreciate the nuances that affect the accuracy, utility, and applicability of reported data, and opportunities exist for future continuing professional development interventions to address this challenge by giving health care professionals the knowledge and skills to critically evaluate and interpret literature-based information. The objective of this article is to assist new and aspiring clinicians as well as experienced practitioners in critically assessing the medical literature so they can be informed about the latest medical advances in their areas of specialty and interest and confidently and appropriately integrate this knowledge into clinical practice. This article aspires to be a tool for residency and fellowship program directors, clerkship faculty, mentors, and other HCPs engaged in clinical education.