Evidence Based Medicine
PHILADELPHIA (CBS) - It is called evidence based medicine and if you haven't heard the term do not worry about it. It is a term being thrown around in medical circles and what it really means is that there is recognition that a doctor's personal experience is worth a great deal but what really matters is the fact that there is a wider group of experience as well as numerous studies surrounding decisions that can be made.
Let me give you an example: there may be numerous drugs available to treat certain heart problems but which is most effective or has the fewest side effects? Although an individual physician has personal experience which is worth a great deal, this knowledge can only be made greater by adding evidence to the decision.
The reason much of this is possible is because we now can communicate more quickly through the internet and electronic medical records to share the information. Hopefully it can help with your care.
Reported By Dr. Brian McDonough, KYW Newsradio Medical Editor
