• Evidence-Based Medicine
• Forward
  • Module Objectives
• Why Is EBM Important?
• Levels of Evidence
  • What Is Evidence?
  • Hierarchy of Evidence
  • Systematic Review
  • Systematic Review of Cohort Studies
  • Summary
• The EBM Process
  • Formulating a Clinical Question
    • Purpose of Clinical Question
    • Types of Clincal Questions
    • The Well-Built Questions: PICO
  • Searching for the Evidence
    • Cochrane
    • PubMed
    • Helpful Tips
  • Critically Appraise, Apply Evidence
• Resources
• Credits
• Return to Patient Safety & Quality Improvement

Levels of Evidence

"Evidence-based medicine is the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values."

Sackett, David L., et al., Evidence-Based Medicine. How to Practice and Teach EBM, Churchill Livingston, 2000.

• It is not a substitute for good clinical judgment.
• Is is not "cookbook medicine."
• Evidence alone is never enough - clinical judgment is always required.
• Patient preferences must always be incorporated into the decision.
• EBM is the knowledge and skills that allow a physician to interpret and apply the medical literature in the most efficient, scientifically valid, and patient-appropriate manner.