----- Original Message -----
Sent: Wednesday, May 25, 2005 9:53
AM
Subject: What is the alternative
Hi
I have been a member of this mailbase for quite a
while and would like to start a debate about definitions. I finally decided to
look for a definition of evidence based medicine and this is one I came up
with.
- Evidence-based medicine is a medical movement based upon
the application of the scientific method to medical practice, including
long-established existing medical traditions not yet subjected to adequate
scientific scrutiny. According to the Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine,
"Evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of
current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual
patients."
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evidence_based_medicine
The definition is what I expected and seems to be quite obvious but
the problem I have is what is the alternative to EBM - myths and legends, old
wives tales? Surely all medicine/medical practice (in my limited
understanding) should be based on evidence and "conscientious,
explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about
the care of individual patients." . Am I missing something here, being
a heretic or is this a case of "the kings new clothes"?
Most
reports seem top take it for granted that there is an mass/group understanding
of what it is all about.
Grateful for
responses
With best wishes,
Gareth
http://www.ki.se/biomedlab
e-mail
[log in to unmask]
Tel +46 8 5858 1038
Fax +46 8 5858
7730
Gareth Morgan MPhil MSc FIBMS,
Department of
Histo/cytopathology, Laboratory Medicine (Labmed),
Karolinska Institute,
Karolinska University Hospital at Huddinge, F46
SE 141 86 Stockholm
Sweden
OBS! Besöksadress: F-Huset, Forskningsgatan 2 F52, Rum 2.10.
Laboratoriet för klinisk patologi och cytologi.
NB! Visiting address:
Building F, Research Corridor 2 F52, Room 2.10. Clinical Histo- and
Cytopathology Laboratory.
