Types of Evidence
Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
Evidence-Based Medicine is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. (Sackett DL, Straus SE, Richardson WS, et al. Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM. 2nd ed. Edinburgh: Churchill Livingstone, 2000.)
EBP Glossary
- Glossary of EBP TermsThis glossary provides a definition and some explanation of commonly used evidence-based medicine terms.
Also, see some interesting links on:
- A glossary of health economics terms;
- Commonly used EBM and statistical abbreviations;
- Critical appraisal checklists (e.g., appraising systematic reviews)
5 Steps of EBP
- 1. Ask a questionConverting the need for information (about prevention, diagnosis, prognosis, therapy, causation, etc) into an answerable question
- 2. Find information/evidence to answer questionTracking down the best evidence with which to answer that question
- 3. Critically appraise the information/evidenceCritically appraising that evidence for its validity (closeness to the truth), impact (size of the effect), and applicability (usefulness in our clinical practice)
- 4. Integrate appraised evidence with own clinical expertise and patient’s preferencesIntegrating the critical appraisal with our clinical expertise and with our patient's unique biology, values and circumstances
- 5. EvaluateEvaluating our effectiveness and efficiency in executing Steps 1-4 and seeking ways to improve them both for next time
This should be an ongoing process in clinical practice and therefore it may also be illustrated as a circle (see above box).
Note: Credit for the above >