Systematic reviews of infectious diseases.

Abstract

The World Wide Web provides ready access to a wealth of information on infectious diseases topics. Systematic reviews and practice guidelines help to focus that evidence with in-depth literature analysis of a specific question. These reviews are typically rigidly structured, often periodically updated, and include critical evaluation of available data. In this article, Web sites of organizations that publish systematic reviews and practice guidelines for infectious diseases are identified and reviewed with regard to ease of use, comprehensiveness, quality of information, and cost. Examples of information available in databases of practice guidelines and systematic reviews are provided. A hypothetical case is used to illustrate the use of electronic resources in evidence-based infectious diseases practice.