TRIP Database
Encyclopedia
The TRIP Database is a free clinical
search engine
. Its primary function is to help clinicians identify the best available evidence with which to answer clinical questions. Its roots are firmly in the world of Evidence-based medicine
.
was created in 1997 as a search tool to help the ATTRACT staff answer clinical questions for GP
s in Gwent
, South Wales
. Shortly afterwards Bandolier
highlighted the TRIP Database and this helped establish the site. In 2003, after a period of steady growth, TRIP became a subscription only service. This was abandoned In September 2006 and since then the growth in usage has been significant.
. The people behind TRIP are heavily involved in clinical question answering systems (e.g., NLH Q&A Service
). Therefore, if resources are identified that are useful in the Q&A process they tend to be added to TRIP.
(September 2007) showed that the site is searched over 500,000 times per month, with 69% from health professionals and 31% from members of the public. Of the health professionals around 43% are doctors. Most users come from either the United Kingdom
or the USA. In September 2008 the site was searched 1.4 million times.
the identification of content suitable for the developing world. Currently much of the evidence contained in TRIP is unsuitable for resource-poor setting - due to issue such as cost. By allowing users to indicate which articles are suitable it'll create a subset of data that users can view for a particular search term click here for further details.
Illness
Illness is a state of poor health. Illness is sometimes considered another word for disease. Others maintain that fine distinctions exist...
search engine
Search engine
A search engine is an information retrieval system designed to help find information stored on a computer system. The search results are usually presented in a list and are commonly called hits. Search engines help to minimize the time required to find information and the amount of information...
. Its primary function is to help clinicians identify the best available evidence with which to answer clinical questions. Its roots are firmly in the world of Evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine
Evidence-based medicine or evidence-based practice aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making. It seeks to assess the strength of evidence of the risks and benefits of treatments and diagnostic tests...
.
History
The siteSite
A site is the location of an event, structure, object, or other thing, whether actual, virtual, abandoned , extant, or planned.*For a building site, see construction.*For a site on the World Wide Web, see website....
was created in 1997 as a search tool to help the ATTRACT staff answer clinical questions for GP
General practitioner
A general practitioner is a medical practitioner who treats acute and chronic illnesses and provides preventive care and health education for all ages and both sexes. They have particular skills in treating people with multiple health issues and comorbidities...
s in Gwent
Gwent (county)
Gwent is a preserved county and a former local government county in south-east Wales. It was formed on 1 April 1974, under the Local Government Act 1972, and was named after the ancient Kingdom of Gwent....
, South Wales
South Wales
South Wales is an area of Wales bordered by England and the Bristol Channel to the east and south, and Mid Wales and West Wales to the north and west. The most densely populated region in the south-west of the United Kingdom, it is home to around 2.1 million people and includes the capital city of...
. Shortly afterwards Bandolier
Bandolier (journal)
Bandolier is an independent online electronic journal about evidence-based healthcare, written by Oxford University scientists. It was started in 1994 and the National Health Service paid for its distribution to all doctors in the UK until 2002. Publication of the printed version ceased in 2007 and...
highlighted the TRIP Database and this helped establish the site. In 2003, after a period of steady growth, TRIP became a subscription only service. This was abandoned In September 2006 and since then the growth in usage has been significant.
Process
The core to TRIP’s system is the identification and incorporation of new evidenceEvidence
Evidence in its broadest sense includes everything that is used to determine or demonstrate the truth of an assertion. Giving or procuring evidence is the process of using those things that are either presumed to be true, or were themselves proven via evidence, to demonstrate an assertion's truth...
. The people behind TRIP are heavily involved in clinical question answering systems (e.g., NLH Q&A Service
NLH Q&A Service
The was started in 2004 as an English version of the ATTRACT service - sharing many common features. It is run by the people behind the .Both ATTRACT and the NLH Q&A Service are pragmatic attempts to bridge the gap between the ideals of evidence-based medicine and the realities of clinical life....
). Therefore, if resources are identified that are useful in the Q&A process they tend to be added to TRIP.
Users
A site surveyStatistical survey
Survey methodology is the field that studies surveys, that is, the sample of individuals from a population with a view towards making statistical inferences about the population using the sample. Polls about public opinion, such as political beliefs, are reported in the news media in democracies....
(September 2007) showed that the site is searched over 500,000 times per month, with 69% from health professionals and 31% from members of the public. Of the health professionals around 43% are doctors. Most users come from either the United Kingdom
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
or the USA. In September 2008 the site was searched 1.4 million times.
Recent Updates
At the end of 2009 TRIP had a major upgrade which saw significant new enhancements:- New content - widening the coverage of the TRIP Database.
- Evidence slider - allows users to easily select the highest quality evidence.
- New design.
- Improved algorithm - ensuring better search results.
- Advanced search.
- Better guideline filtering - introducing more geographic distinctions.
- Background knowledge boxes - showing contextual links to etextbooks based on the search terms used.
- TRIP fails - links to other sources should TRIP let you down.
- Search history.
- Related articles.
Education Tracker
TRIP has an education tracker which allows users to record their activity on TRIP which can then be used, subject to local regulations, for revalidation/re-licensing. For further detail click here.Developing world initiative
TRIP has recently launched an initiative for crowdsourcingCrowdsourcing
Crowdsourcing is the act of sourcing tasks traditionally performed by specific individuals to a group of people or community through an open call....
the identification of content suitable for the developing world. Currently much of the evidence contained in TRIP is unsuitable for resource-poor setting - due to issue such as cost. By allowing users to indicate which articles are suitable it'll create a subset of data that users can view for a particular search term click here for further details.