IDE TO
A GU
EVIDENCE-BASED
MEDICINE
B BLES
ND BU
M , H E X, A
W IT H S A
Compiled by Zeyn Mahomed
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Graduate attributes and the integration of research, expertise, and patient values.
Hey there! I’m Sam. I’ll be guiding you through the wonderful world
of EBHC. Welcome to the start of our journey. I’ll be honest with
you, when I first heard about 'Evidence-Based Medicine,' I thought
it was just about memorizing boring stats. But it’s actually about
something much more interesting: it’s about making sure the
choices we make for our patients are the best ones possible. It’s a
bit like being a detective - a medical detective :) Let’s get started!
1.1 Becoming a Scholar
Before we look at the numbers, we need to look at who you are becoming.
Our curriculum focuses on the Scholar graduate attribute. Think of this as your
professional compass. As a scholar, you aren't just a "doer" of tasks; you are:
A Lifelong Learner: Medicine changes fast! You’ll be
updating your brain for your whole career.
An Educator: You’ll be explaining complex things to
patients and colleagues.
An Evidence-Informed Decision Maker: This is the core
of our book, using data to drive care.
A Contributor to Scholarship: Sometimes, you’ll be the
one creating the new knowledge through research.
1.2 What exactly is EBHC?
Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC) is defined as the integration of best research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. (Sackett et al, 2000)
Prof David Sackett describes it as:
“the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the current best evidence
in making decisions about the care of individual patients"
EBHC is a conversation between
three different parties with the goal
of improving patient outcomes.
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 1
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Best Research Evidence: Clinical Expertise: Patient Values:
What does the latest What does your What does the person
high-quality science and experience and your sitting in front of you
statistics say? skills tell you? actually want or need?
Improved Patient Outcomes
Prof Gordon Guyatt further explained that EBHC is not about applying evidence on its
own without reasoning; it requires an "ability to assess the validity and importance of
evidence" before it is applied to day-to-day clinical problems.
1.3 Why is it Important?
We use EBHC because healthcare is full of uncertainty. We need a system to help us
because:
1.There’s too much info: Thousands of papers are published
every day. We need to filter the "signal" from the "noise".
2.Safety First: We need to know which treatments work and
which might actually hurt our patients.
3.Resource Management: We can’t afford to waste money
or time on things that don't work
Acknowledge: Prof M Pather
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 2
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
1.4 The Scientific Mindset: Don’t Just Believe what you Hear
In the old days, doctors did things because 'that’s how it's always
been done.' We don't do that anymore. We’re healthy skeptics!
An important rule in EBHC is that research methods matter more than conclusions.
You shouldn't just read the "Results" section and call it a day. You have to look at how
they did the study to decide if the results are actually believable. If the methods are
bad, the results are "research waste".
Think of James Lind in 1747. He didn't just guess that lemons cured scurvy; he ran the
first recorded controlled trial to prove it. But here’s a thought: even though he proved
it, it still took 40 years for the navy to actually start giving sailors lemon juice. EBHC
helps us close that "know-do gap" faster.
Knowledge Check: BBHC and The Foundations of EBHC
Case Study: The "New Wonder Drug"
Imagine that you are a junior doctor. A pharmaceutical representative visits your clinic
and tells you about "Drug X," which they claim reduces the risk of heart attacks by
50%. They show you a glossy brochure with a graph showing a massive drop in
incidents. Your patient has seen an ad for Drug X and wants to try it.
1. According to the principles of Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC), which of the
following is your most appropriate first step?
A) Critically appraise research methods used to generate the 50% figure before deciding.
B) Decline the prescription because pharmaceutical brochures are always biased.
C) Prescribe the drug immediately because the patient values align with the intervention.
D) Rely solely on your senior consultant’s experience to decide if the drug is effective.
2. The Scholar graduate attribute emphasizes four key areas. Which area are you
primarily exercising when you teach your patient about the potential side effects?
A) Lifelong learning
B) Educating others
C) Contributing to scholarship
D) Resource management
Answer Key:
A: EBHC requires you to assess the validity of the evidence yourself by looking at the methods
B: Empowering your patient through education is a core scholarly skill.
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 3
A GU
EVIDENCE-BASED
MEDICINE
B BLES
ND BU
M , H E X, A
W IT H S A
Compiled by Zeyn Mahomed
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Graduate attributes and the integration of research, expertise, and patient values.
Hey there! I’m Sam. I’ll be guiding you through the wonderful world
of EBHC. Welcome to the start of our journey. I’ll be honest with
you, when I first heard about 'Evidence-Based Medicine,' I thought
it was just about memorizing boring stats. But it’s actually about
something much more interesting: it’s about making sure the
choices we make for our patients are the best ones possible. It’s a
bit like being a detective - a medical detective :) Let’s get started!
1.1 Becoming a Scholar
Before we look at the numbers, we need to look at who you are becoming.
Our curriculum focuses on the Scholar graduate attribute. Think of this as your
professional compass. As a scholar, you aren't just a "doer" of tasks; you are:
A Lifelong Learner: Medicine changes fast! You’ll be
updating your brain for your whole career.
An Educator: You’ll be explaining complex things to
patients and colleagues.
An Evidence-Informed Decision Maker: This is the core
of our book, using data to drive care.
A Contributor to Scholarship: Sometimes, you’ll be the
one creating the new knowledge through research.
1.2 What exactly is EBHC?
Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC) is defined as the integration of best research
evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. (Sackett et al, 2000)
Prof David Sackett describes it as:
“the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of the current best evidence
in making decisions about the care of individual patients"
EBHC is a conversation between
three different parties with the goal
of improving patient outcomes.
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 1
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
Best Research Evidence: Clinical Expertise: Patient Values:
What does the latest What does your What does the person
high-quality science and experience and your sitting in front of you
statistics say? skills tell you? actually want or need?
Improved Patient Outcomes
Prof Gordon Guyatt further explained that EBHC is not about applying evidence on its
own without reasoning; it requires an "ability to assess the validity and importance of
evidence" before it is applied to day-to-day clinical problems.
1.3 Why is it Important?
We use EBHC because healthcare is full of uncertainty. We need a system to help us
because:
1.There’s too much info: Thousands of papers are published
every day. We need to filter the "signal" from the "noise".
2.Safety First: We need to know which treatments work and
which might actually hurt our patients.
3.Resource Management: We can’t afford to waste money
or time on things that don't work
Acknowledge: Prof M Pather
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 2
, Chapter 1: Introduction to Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC)
1.4 The Scientific Mindset: Don’t Just Believe what you Hear
In the old days, doctors did things because 'that’s how it's always
been done.' We don't do that anymore. We’re healthy skeptics!
An important rule in EBHC is that research methods matter more than conclusions.
You shouldn't just read the "Results" section and call it a day. You have to look at how
they did the study to decide if the results are actually believable. If the methods are
bad, the results are "research waste".
Think of James Lind in 1747. He didn't just guess that lemons cured scurvy; he ran the
first recorded controlled trial to prove it. But here’s a thought: even though he proved
it, it still took 40 years for the navy to actually start giving sailors lemon juice. EBHC
helps us close that "know-do gap" faster.
Knowledge Check: BBHC and The Foundations of EBHC
Case Study: The "New Wonder Drug"
Imagine that you are a junior doctor. A pharmaceutical representative visits your clinic
and tells you about "Drug X," which they claim reduces the risk of heart attacks by
50%. They show you a glossy brochure with a graph showing a massive drop in
incidents. Your patient has seen an ad for Drug X and wants to try it.
1. According to the principles of Evidence-Based Health Care (EBHC), which of the
following is your most appropriate first step?
A) Critically appraise research methods used to generate the 50% figure before deciding.
B) Decline the prescription because pharmaceutical brochures are always biased.
C) Prescribe the drug immediately because the patient values align with the intervention.
D) Rely solely on your senior consultant’s experience to decide if the drug is effective.
2. The Scholar graduate attribute emphasizes four key areas. Which area are you
primarily exercising when you teach your patient about the potential side effects?
A) Lifelong learning
B) Educating others
C) Contributing to scholarship
D) Resource management
Answer Key:
A: EBHC requires you to assess the validity of the evidence yourself by looking at the methods
B: Empowering your patient through education is a core scholarly skill.
BEING AND BECOMING HEALTHCARE 3
