Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)
Sackett (1996) father of evidence based medicine (EBM) defined EBM as the “conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients”. EBM in practice means the integration of distinct clinical experience with the best available research evidence. Later on the revised definition was given by Masic “a systematic approach to clinical problem solving which allows the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values” (2008) which included the patients as well in EBM. Based on the evidence physician will have an idea that which type of treatment will be beneficial for treating a certain type of disease in a particular patient. EBM undergoes
a hierarchy of evidence based on the method of collection from randomized, controlled, double blind studies to observational studies to background information about treatments for a given medical condition. EBM in practice is a physician centered, long term learning process through the experience where physician has to collect every important information regarding the treatment providing to the patient. Sackett mentions that EBM is not a “cookbook” with recipes every individual patient needs to be considered separately in order to bring quality of health care (Masic, 2008). EBM helps physician’s for shared decision making with patient’s, incorporating patient values, preferences and this will allow patients to understand the risks and benefits associated with the treatment as a result patient’s will make better treatment choices. Therefore, by implementing EBM in healthcare, it can improve the quality of care, reduce costs to the payers by eliminating duplication of services, increased patient satisfaction. Along with benefits it also has concerns that need to be addresses. In this paper, I like to evaluate by addressing its importance, myths and truths of EBM, limitations, impact on quality of care and cost and how it impacts on stakeholders. At the end, I will provide future recommendations in order to improve EBM and conclusion.
a hierarchy of evidence based on the method of collection from randomized, controlled, double blind studies to observational studies to background information about treatments for a given medical condition. EBM in practice is a physician centered, long term learning process through the experience where physician has to collect every important information regarding the treatment providing to the patient. Sackett mentions that EBM is not a “cookbook” with recipes every individual patient needs to be considered separately in order to bring quality of health care (Masic, 2008). EBM helps physician’s for shared decision making with patient’s, incorporating patient values, preferences and this will allow patients to understand the risks and benefits associated with the treatment as a result patient’s will make better treatment choices. Therefore, by implementing EBM in healthcare, it can improve the quality of care, reduce costs to the payers by eliminating duplication of services, increased patient satisfaction. Along with benefits it also has concerns that need to be addresses. In this paper, I like to evaluate by addressing its importance, myths and truths of EBM, limitations, impact on quality of care and cost and how it impacts on stakeholders. At the end, I will provide future recommendations in order to improve EBM and conclusion.