Evidence-based medicine

Evidence-based medicine aims to identify, critically appraise and apply the best available evidence in making decisions about the care of patients. These aims are similar to those which conscientious clinicians have always tried to achieve. An evidence-based approach applies a systematic and rigorous methodology to this process to ensure that the evidence which is applied is relevant and of high quality. The use of this methodology limits bias (systematic errors) and reduces random errors (simple mistakes), thus providing reliable results on which to draw conclusions and make decisions. Meta-analysis, when used appropriately, can provide more precise estimates of the effects of healthcare than those derived from the individual studies included in a review. Systematic reviews also provide summaries of the results of evidence-based healthcare. These are available to all interested individuals, including clinicians, healthcare administrators and patients.