BEARS

Family physicians identify questions/problems encountered in practice on a daily basis and must seek solutions by rapidly answering clinical questions with best evidence. As such, the ability to critically appraise the literature is an essential skill for all physicians.

All first year family medicine residents are required to conduct four BEARs projects. One BEAR project is completed for every 4 weeks of family medicine blocktime. The faculty advisor will provide guidance and consultation throughout the duration of the project.

A BEAR is a mandatory, short critical appraisal project to help residents identify questions at the point of care and to use evidence-based resources to find answers rapidly.

BEARs projects are presented at clinic rounds.

A one-page BEAR Worksheet guides residents through the exercise.

BEARs Guidelines
BEARS Worksheet
Examples of BEARs