Ask, and ye shall retrieve

Abstract

Beginning with this issue, Evidence Based Medicine will replace the “Objective” heading in its structured abstracts with a heading called “Question(s).” The sentences under this heading will be in the form of questions that specify the patients and problems under study; the test, risk factor, or intervention being evaluated; and the clinical outcomes measured. Having study questions more explicitly stated should make it easier for readers to match these questions to their own, well-built clinical questions (1, 2).