Evidence-based surgery

Abstract

The term evidence-based medicine was coined by Sackett and colleagues in the 1980s. They defined it as the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.1 The practice of evidence-based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best-available clinical evidence from systematic research. In short, evidence-based medicine means systematically searching for the best evidence rather than relying on expert opinion or anecdotal experience. In addition, Sackett and colleagues recognized the importance of the clinical expertise that most physicians possess and were explicit in stating that the evidence must be integrated with clinical acumen. Finally, the preferences and values of the patient must be considered in the decision making. © 2008 Springer New York.