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Defining a CAT or Critically Appraised Topic

Sara Benham, MS, OTR/L, ATP

July 15, 2013

Question

What is a CAT?

 

Answer

The critically appraised topic or CAT usually includes more than one study.  There is a statement of the clinical relevance of the results and reflects the best evidence.  It is a short summary on the best available research evidence, but it is less rigorous than a systematic review.  It is a standardized format that you can quickly read the first one or two pages as it provides a summary.  It answers a PICO question, an acronym for Person Intervention Comparison and Outcome, and guides our search through peer-reviewed journal articles for the best available evidence. 


sara benham

Sara Benham, MS, OTR/L, ATP

Sara Benham works as an Occupational Therapist on the Inpatient Rehabilitation Unit at Cedars-Sinai Medical Center specializing in neurorehabilitation and assistive technology.  She holds an advanced certification as a RESNA Assistive Technology Professional (ATP) and is pursuing her doctorate through Thomas Jefferson University. 


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