Medical practice where findings from research are used as the basis for decisions.
The process of systematically finding, appraising and using the best available research findings, integrated with clinical expertise, as the basis for clinical decisions about individual patients. The aim is to encourage clinicians, health-service managers and consumers of health care to make decisions, taking account of the best available evidence, on the likely consequences of alternative decisions and actions. Evidence-based medicine has been developing internationally for the past 30 years, but since around 1990 its development has accelerated. The International cochrane collaboration finds and reviews relevant research. Several other centres have been set up to look at the clinical application of research results, including the Centre for Evidence-Based. Medicine in Oxford.
Guidelines and recommendations, derived from a comprehensive evaluation of randomized controlled trials, non-randomized trials, other experimental studies, descriptive studies, as well as expert committee reports, are an essential cornerstone of evidence-based practice. Each category of evidence undergoes a grading process (ranging from A to D, with A denoting the highest level of reliability) based on factors such as study type and sample size. These evidence grades serve as a foundation for formulating clinical practice guidelines, ensuring that recommendations are rooted in sound scientific findings.
This refers to the application of medical or surgical interventions that have undergone rigorous evaluation for their efficacy and safety through clinical research. This research typically involves randomized controlled trials and frequently incorporates meta-analysis, a method that combines the outcomes from multiple trials for a comprehensive understanding.