Evidence Based Medicine

The practice of evidence based medicine (EBM) means integrating your individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research and the patient’s preferences and values.
The aim of this approach is to improve decision-making and health outcomes.

The translation of a clinical problem into a question, in order to be guided to the best available evidence, may be one of the difficult steps in practicing EBM. Resolving a clinical or research question will be fruitful only if the problem is formulated appropriately.
A systematic approach can help you to overcome this obstacle.

Health care professionals are increasingly required to base clinical decisions on the best available evidence.

Evidence based medicine (EBM) is a systematic approach to clinical problem solving which allows the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.

This paper explains the concept of EBM and introduces the five step EBM model:

1/ formulation of answerable clinical questions;
2/ searching for evidence;
3/ critical appraisal;
4/ applicability of evidence;
5/ evaluation of performance.

Subsequent articles will focus on the principles and critical appraisal of randomised controlled trials, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses, and provide a practical demonstration of the five step EBM model using a real life clinical scenario.

Enjoy the reading!!!

Akobeng AK. Principles of evidence based medicine. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Aug;90(8):837-40

Akobeng AK. Understanding randomised controlled trials. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Aug;90(8):840-4

Akobeng AK. Understanding systematic reviews and meta-analysis. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Aug;90(8):845-8
Akobeng AK. Evidence in practice. Arch Dis Child. 2005 Aug;90(8):849-52

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