EMAC resources integrate literature searching and analysis tools in a simple  format.  The site is designed for use by both novice and advanced readers of the medical literature. 

Our EBM Curriculum is based on the Users Guides To the Medical Literature series published in JAMA. We are indebted to the innovative authors of these publications. 

Our site differs in several notable ways.  We have attempted closer integration of literature searching and analysis tools within the curriculum.  We have also tailored our resources towards the needs of individuals practicing in ambulatory and Emergency settings.  The case examples are intended to show the relevance of EBM to these settings. 
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The body of each lecture  is divided into 2 frames.  The top frame constitutes the main lecture. The bottom frame contains the EMAC image map and links.  The lecture is designed to permit searching and "critical reading" simultaneously. You can perform this in two ways.

1) Use the top frame links to open a search source in a new window.   Links are available from the primary and secondary imagemaps:

2) Use the bottom frame to perform your search. Once you have located a full text source you can read the article on the bottom frame and use the lecture tools on top to critically assess the article. 
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The evidence links  included in EMAC are divided into several classes

Primary literature sources: Including the major citation databases, Medline, EMBASE etc.

Secondary Sources:  These  sites  provide critical analysis of the primary literature. They are extremely valuable evidence resources for the work place, as much of the critical analysis has already been performed.

Texts: Several fairly comprehensive textbook style compilations are available on the web.  Although these are in general not high quality "evidence based" resources, they may be a valuable starting point when navigating subject matter unfamiliar to the reader.

Journals:  Links to full text Peer reviewed journals
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Patient Scenario:   Within some of the lectures you will find this image. Clicking on this will link you to the appropriate section of the example patient scenario and analysis for each lecture.  As of 12/3/99 these remain incomplete.

You will also note the  image, at the top of appropriate sections.  This contains the following links:

  Search Notation key: This is a hotlink to a list of OVID search notation terms for rapid expert searching. Many of these terms can also be used in the free NLM databases, and we will expand the material to provide specific notation for other databases in the near future.

Search help page:   We have placed a particular emphasis on literature searching methodologies.  This icon links to the expert search lecture index. It is highly suggested that regular "searchers" review this material.

Links to a Mesh Browser from the NLM

Statistical Support:   Links to a separate EMAC page containing a links to some excellent statistical didactic materials available on the web.  If, when critically analyzing your article, you run across a statistical method or term you don't recognize, look here.

Clinical Calculators:   A compilation of links to online clinical calculators from various sources.  If your article doesn't provide LR's, NNT's, CI's look here. 
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On the secondary resources page, you'll see:

What do they mean? We have evaluated the major available secondary resources so that you can quickly refer to the sites like a guide in Consumer Reports. We aren't neccessarily evaluating one site over another, we're simply showing in which particular aspects of patient care these sites specialize. The images mean:

Diagnosis: This site contains information helpful with patient diagnosis.

Therapy: This site contains information helpful with patient therapy.

Prognosis: This site contains information helpful with patient prognosis.

Harm: This site contains information regarding aspects of patient care that may be harmful to the patient.

Clinical Prediction Rules: This site contains information regarding simple algorithms helpful with efficient patient care.

Clinical Guidelines: This site contains information regarding clinical guidelines in patient care.
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