Evidence-Based Medicine and the Changing Nature of Health Care

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has been famously characterized by David Sackett as the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about individual care.” The central notion in EBM of the importance of integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external evidence provides a helpful framework for providers navigating the uncertainty inherent in patient care. The selection of EBM as a topic for the 2007 Annual Meeting of the Institute of Medicine (IOM) signals its potential as a key driver toward greater value and efficiency in medical care. Technological and scientific innovations continue to expand the universe of medical interventions, treatments, and approaches to care, ushering in...