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Evidence-based medicine is rooted in Protestant exegesis
Andreas Gerber1, Markus Lungen, Karl W Lauterbach
1Institut fuer Gesundheitsoekonomie und Klinische Epidemiologie, Gleueler Street 176-178, 50935 Koeln (Cologne), Deutschland, Germany. andreas.gerber@medizin.uni-koeln.de
Medical Hypotheses
|March 23, 2005
Summary
Evidence-based medicine (EbM) evolved from Protestant countries, not France. Key factors include critical exegesis, physician-patient equality, and national healthcare systems.
Area of Science:
- Medical History
- Sociology of Medicine
Background:
- Evidence-based medicine (EbM) has been practiced for approximately a decade.
- Traditionally, EbM's origins were attributed to mid-19th century French medical thought.
- This historical attribution is questioned due to France not being a center for EbM.
Observation:
- EbM has flourished predominantly in Protestant countries.
- A qualitative historical investigation, inspired by Max Weber's "The Protestant Ethic," was conducted.
- The study re-examined the historical tradition of EbM.
Findings:
- Three major prerequisites for EbM's evolution were identified, beyond technological advancements like computers and the internet.
- These include: 1) Historical critical exegesis as a methodology for reconciling contradictory information.
- 2) An egalitarian relationship among physicians and the Protestant concept of laypeople's equality in theological discourse, forming the basis for EbM.
- 3) Nationally funded healthcare systems, committed to equitable access and allocation, are conducive to practicing EbM.
Implications:
- EbM represents a shift in medicine towards textual criticism, rather than solely relying on statistics.
- It necessitates and reinforces a more egalitarian dynamic between physicians.
- Understanding the historical and social underpinnings of EbM is crucial for its continued development and practice.