Evidence-Based Medicine: It Just Makes Sense
In clinical practice, we will work with health care professionals who confidently make a treatment decision based on their own experience. On the other hand, we will work with health care professionals who move forward with treatment on the basis of proven data. Experience- and evidence-based medicine are constantly at odds in clinical practice.
Lately, I have noticed how confident and trustworthy a clinician appears when he states that "recent data suggests" a particular treatment. Having now been exposed to the process of research and data analysis, I recognize and appreciate the importance of statistically significant results. There is a logical and economical component of treating based on the results of clinical studies that simply makes sense in patient care. When I know that data supports a clinician's decision, I am much more at ease than when a clinician makes a treatment decision because "it worked before."
There is obviously a fine balance between personal judgment and evidence-based medicine. After all, there cannot be a randomized clinical trial for every possible scenario. However, with researchers taking the time to conduct studies to assure confidence in today's providers, we must work hard to stay up to date. Our patients and colleagues will stop and think when we are able to make decisions based on clinical evidence. It just makes sense.