[Evidence-based recommendations : clinicians committed to the essentials but aware of the limits]

Area of Science:

• Medical Ethics
• Clinical Decision-Making
• Health Sciences

Context:

• The Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) approach emerged in the late 20th century.
• EBM integrates scientific evidence into clinical practice.
• This article reviews EBM's contributions, limitations, and practical applications.

Purpose:

• To recall the essential contributions of Evidence-Based Medicine.
• To describe observed practical drifts and intrinsic limitations of EBM.
• To discuss how EBM practice relates to managing uncertainty and advocate for Evidence-Based Practice.

Summary:

• Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) prioritizes scientific data for healthcare decisions, but faces practical challenges and inherent limitations.
• The article explores how EBM's application, from data consideration to recommendation adherence, interacts with uncertainty management.
• It proposes an Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) model to bolster clinicians' critical appraisal skills and promote shared decision-making with patients.

Impact:

• Highlights the importance of scientific data in clinical decision-making.
• Identifies practical deviations and limitations within the Evidence-Based Medicine framework.
• Promotes Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) to improve clinician expertise and patient-centered care through shared decision-making.