Evidence-based radiology.
The role of evidence-based medicine, defined as the integration of best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, is becoming increasingly important in health care. Evidence-based practice has 5 basic steps that can be applied to any clinical discipline: (1) formulate an answerable question, (2) find the best current evidence, (3) appraise critically, (4) apply findings to practice, and (5) evaluate performance. Evidence-based radiology (EBR) is a relatively new approach to the practice of radiology based on the principles of evidence-based medicine. Through EBR, radiologists can regularly update their knowledge, deepen their understanding of research methodologies, and use research data in clinical settings more effectively; for patients, EBR ensures that they receive the best current care. Evidence-based radiology can be used to decrease the variability in radiology practice and thus avoid the unnecessary waste of resources.
Erturk
Sukru Mehmet
SM
Department of Radiology, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA. serturk@partners.org
Ondategui-Parra
Silvia
S
Otero
Hansel
H
Ros
Pablo R
PR
D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000639:trends; D006801:Humans; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic / Q000592:standards; D011871:Radiology / Q000592:standards*