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Every encounter with a
patient identifies gaps in out knowledge
about the aetiology, diagnosis,
prognosis, or therapy of their illness.
Recent research reveals that even as
seasoned clinicians we generate about 5
knowledge "needs" for every in-patient
we encounter, and about 2 "needs" for
every out-patients we see. In practicing
evidence-based medicine, we:
1. Translate these needs into answerable
questions:
2. Track down the best evidence to
answer them;
3. Appraise that evidence for its
validity (closeness to the truth) and
applicability (usefulness in our
clinical practices) we'll call the
written summary of these first 3 steps a
"Critically Appraised Topic" or CAT;
4. Integrate that evidence w/ our
clinical expertise and apply it in
practices, and
5. Evaluate our performance |
Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the latest development in
medical decision-making and is now an essential part of
medical education and postgraduate training programs. It
involves learning to appraise the medical literature to
identify the best evidence to be used in solving clinical
problems. Health practitioners have to be equipped with new
skills to cope with the avalanche of medical information. EBM
will make sure you are up-to-date.
