Knowledge-based decision support

Starting from April 12, 2023, the Health Insurance Fund funded knowledge-based decision support is available to all healthcare workers in Estonia, including medical students.

What is this?

Knowledge management-type decision support is a web-based platform that does not use individual patient health data to provide recommendations but offers healthcare workers evidence-based suggestions, warnings, and guidelines for conducting effective patient-centered and personalized treatment. The central database is DynaMed, which provides customizable interactive views on the benefits and harms of various treatment options, enabling the best treatment decision for each patient.

The aim is to provide Estonian healthcare workers with a comprehensive knowledge management service by integrating the needs of various target groups.

How does it work?

Users are provided access to the Synbase portal within the hospital through a computer network (IP) address or via a personal user account linked to the Estonian Health Board's registration code.

DynaMed contains evidence-based guidelines, recommendations, algorithms, and reviews with references on diseases, symptoms, procedures, and other clinically significant knowledge in 39 clinical areas. The database is continuously updated following standard procedures. The quality of evidence and clinical recommendations is assessed using the GRADE methodology.

Healthcare workers can use the search function on the homepage or search for information from the specialty subpage. Additionally, there is a separate page for clinical calculators. The solution includes a learning module for learning and applying principles of evidence-based medicine.

In the Synbase portal (www.synbase.eu), the comprehensive knowledge-based decision support service can be accessed, which integrates three databases:

• The English-language clinical guidelines database DynaMed,

• The Estonian-language clinical guidelines database EBM Guidelines,

• The Estonian-language Medbase drug databases.

What is the value of knowledge-based decision support?

• Saves valuable time for healthcare workers by streamlining the gathering of necessary information,

• Improves collaboration within the healthcare system and supports comprehensive patient management,

• Helps quickly find answers to clinical questions,

• The results of questions and calculators can be added to the patient's medical record,

• Increases patient safety through more informed and evidence-based treatment decisions.

More additional information on the website: https://www.dynamed.com/, www.synbase.eu