Scenario 1: Glucosamine
Kasim is a middle aged male who likes to play AFL. After many years of playing Kasim suffers from knee pain. He has been advised by his physician that he can take celecoxib 200 mg/day (a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory [NSAID] type medication for pain) or glucosamine 1500 mg/day as another treatment option. Kasim is keen to know what evidence there is to support the use of either celecoxib or glucosamine to help relieve his knee pain.
Clinical Question:
In men with knee pain which treatment option is more effective celecoxib or glucosamine?
Scenario 2: Mindfulness for PTSD (Posttraumatic Stress Disorder)
Abdul has gained five years medical experience while serving in the military. As a military veteran he is considering enrolling in a health science course at university. During his time spent in the military Abdul experienced posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and continues to have symptoms occasionally. He knows that health practitioners can also experience PTSD. Abdul remembers watching a documentary about ‘mindfulness-based therapy’ (MBT) used to treat PTSD. Abdul decides to do his own systematic search for quality evidence before going to see a general practitioner.
Clinical Question:
In veterans is mindfulness-based therapy effective for treating PTSD?
Scenario 3: Postpartum depression
Devine is an expectant mother in the second trimester of her pregnancy. Her mother and maternal aunties have all experienced postpartum depression (PPD). Devine is quite concerned that she will also develop PPD following the birth of her baby. The midwife has suggested that Devine attend regular sessions of interpersonal therapy (IPT). Devine would like to do what she can before the baby arrives to prevent the possibility of PPD.
Clinical Question:
What is the effectiveness of interpersonal therapy on preventing postpartum depression in pregnant women?
