Skip to Main Content

Evidence Based Medicine: Module 4: Apply

Applying the Evidence

One of the 3 key principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) is that the evidence alone is never sufficient to make a clinical decision. Clinicians require expertise in interpreting the patient dilemma (in its clinical, social, and economic contexts) and in identifying the body of evidence that bears on optimal patient treatment. These considerations, however, are not enough. Evidence-based medicine requires that clinical decisions be consistent with the informed values and preferences of the patient.1

Eliciting a patient's values and preferences and taking them into account when making decisions is a complex skill set. Below we suggest readings and resources to help help clinicians engage in this process.

Recommended Readings

Resources


1. Rennie D, Meade M, Guyatt G, Cook D. Users’ guides to the medical literature : a manual for evidence-based clinical practice . Philadelphia: McGraw Hill Education Medical; 2015.