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Evidence-based Knowledge Synthesis and Hypothesis Validation: Navigating Biomedical Knowledge Bases via Explainable AI and Agentic Systems
Published on: June 13, 2025
Evidence-based medicine: not a slam dunk.
1Shriners Hospitals for Children, University of California at Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA, USA. CMoseley@shrinenet.org
Journal of Pediatric Orthopedics
|August 15, 2012
Summary
Evidence-based medicine faces hidden challenges. Clinicians must view medical facts as fragile beliefs and recognize cognitive biases affecting decision-making for better patient care.
Area of Science:
- Clinical Practice
- Medical Education
Background:
- Evidence-based medicine (EBM) implementation presents significant challenges for clinicians.
- Difficulties extend beyond study design to the nature of medical knowledge and cognitive processes.
Purpose of the Study:
- To explore two less obvious obstacles encountered by clinicians advocating for EBM.
- To highlight the need for critical evaluation of the medical knowledge base and decision-making.
Main Methods:
- Conceptual analysis of the epistemological nature of medical facts.
- Discussion of cognitive psychology principles relevant to clinical decision-making.
Main Results:
- Medical knowledge is better conceptualized as a collection of tentative beliefs rather than absolute truths.
- Human cognitive biases can impede valid decision-making, particularly in establishing outcome measures.
Conclusions:
- Clinicians should approach medical evidence with skepticism, recognizing its inherent fragility.
- Addressing cognitive limitations and improving outcome measure development are crucial for advancing EBM.
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