1. Evidence based medicine: A
short introduction
Ruchi Baxi
October 2012

2. Objectives
 Define EBM
 Consider the meaning of evidence
 Discuss the importance of EBM
 Signposting for further information

3. What is EBM?
 Using evidence to inform practice
 Includes:
 Individual patient management
 Research
 Policy making
 Need to be able to find and appraise
information

4. So…What is evidence?

5. What does EBM add?
 Know extent to which something works
 Know risks/side effects of treatment
 Know likely associated costs of decision to
maximise resources
 Use in conjunction with clinical knowledge
and judgement

6. Risks of ignoring EBM
 Decisions risk being:
 Ineffective
 Unsafe
 Costly
 Ethical implications

7. Sources of further information
 UK Cochrane Centre
 http://ukcc.cochrane.org/
 Cochrane Collaboration
 http://www.cochrane.org/
 Centre for Evidence Based Medicine,
University of Oxford
 http://www.cebm.net/index.aspx?o=1001