title: EBM, HTA, and CER: clearing the confusion.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The terms evidence-based medicine (EBM), health technology assessment (HTA), comparative effectiveness research (CER), and other related terms lack clarity and so could lead to miscommunication, confusion, and poor decision making. The objective of this article is to clarify their definitions and the relationships among key terms and concepts.
  
  
  METHODS
  This article used the relevant methods and policy literature as well as the websites of organizations engaged in evidence-based activities to develop a framework to explain the relationships among the terms EBM, HTA, and CER.
  
  
  RESULTS
  This article proposes an organizing framework and presents a graphic demonstrating the differences and relationships among these terms and concepts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  More specific terminology and concepts are necessary for an informed and clear public policy debate. They are even more important to inform decision making at all levels and to engender more accountability by the organizations and individuals responsible for these decisions.
authors.affiliation: United BioSource Corporation, Bethesda, MD, USA. bryan.luce@unitedbiosource.com
authors.forename: Bryan R
authors.initials: BR
authors.lastname: Luce
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Drummond
authors.forename: Bengt
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Jönsson
authors.forename: Peter J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Neumann
authors.forename: J Sanford
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Schwartz
authors.forename: Uwe
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Siebert
authors.forename: Sean D
authors.initials: SD
authors.lastname: Sullivan
mesh_terms: D057186:Comparative Effectiveness Research / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D013673:Technology Assessment, Biomedical / Q000379:methods / Q000458:organization & administration; D009626:Terminology as Topic; D014481:United States