Evidence-Based Medicine
Evidence-Based Medicine
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM, /ˈɛvɪdəns beɪst ˈmɛdɪsɪn/) is a medical practice approach that emphasizes the use of empirical evidence from well-designed and well-conducted research.
Etymology
The term "Evidence-Based Medicine" was first used in the medical literature by Gordon Guyatt in 1991, in an article published in the Journal of the American Medical Association. The concept, however, has roots in mid-19th century Paris and the work of the French physician Pierre Louis, who promoted the use of clinical trials to evaluate treatments.
Definition
Evidence-Based Medicine is defined as the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of Evidence-Based Medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.
Related Terms
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: These are statements that include recommendations intended to optimize patient care. They are informed by a systematic review of evidence and an assessment of the benefits and harms of alternative care options.
- Systematic Review: A systematic review is a type of literature review that collects and critically analyzes multiple research studies or papers.
- Randomized Controlled Trial: A study in which people are allocated at random to receive one of several clinical interventions.
- Meta-Analysis: This is a statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies.
Importance
Evidence-Based Medicine aims to apply the best available evidence gained from the scientific method to clinical decision making. It seeks to assess the strength of the evidence of risks and benefits of treatments (including lack of treatment) and diagnostic tests. This helps clinicians to make better, more informed decisions.
Criticisms
Despite its widespread acceptance, Evidence-Based Medicine has been criticized for a number of reasons. Some argue that it undervalues clinical experience and patient values, while others believe it overemphasizes the role of research evidence in clinical decision making.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Evidence-Based Medicine
- Wikipedia's article - Evidence-Based Medicine
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