[Reflections on evidence-based medicine].
This is a review of the basic concepts of evidence, medicine, evidence-based medicine and its effects. Evidence-based medicine is a contribution for statistical design and management, that allows the gathering of scientific information, but does not completely exclude bias. Its methodology proceeds with order and caution, generating a highly probable mass of knowledge. The quality of the information obtained from diverse sources such as meta-analysis to expert opinions is classified in different levels according to the "strength" of the evidence in which it is based. The best contribution of evidence-based medicine is probably for diseases of incidence and does not replace clinical experience and patients-physician relationship. Basically we treat ill people and not illnesses. Without clinical experience, medical practice can be tyrannized by evidence-based medicine that can become inapplicable or inappropriate. Without evidence-based medicine, medical practice will not be updated, limiting our professional skills.
Muñoz
Félix
F
Servicio de Medicina Interna, Hospital Clínico San Francisco de Borja-Arriarán, Facultad de Medicina, Universidad de Chile. fmunoz@hsba.cl
Cabrera
Fernando
F
D015982:Bias; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010818:Practice Patterns, Physicians'; D011364:Professional Practice