Evidence-based medicine at your fingertips. Part 1: Introduction

In a series of three articles, we describe the step-by-step design and use of a spreadsheet to analyze the results of a diagnostic test or a therapy in the literature. This first article describes the required skills, which are minimal. The hardware and software requirements are modest, widely available and relatively cheap. In addition to the elimination of the potential risk of calculation errors, time and effort is saved by the physician. The use of such a spreadsheet will further consolidate the concept of evidence-based medicine by readers of the medical literature and will help to further improve the quality of care.