title: How close is evidence to truth in evidence-based treatment of mental disorders?
abstract: Given the importance of the term 'evidence' in evidence-based medicine (EBM), the meaning of this term is evaluated, going back to the philosophical tradition and current meaning of the terms 'evidence' and 'truth'. Based on this, current problems in the definition of evidence and in the grading of evidence in EBM are described, taking examples from the field of psychiatry and especially pharmacopsychiatry. These problems underline that the use of the term evidence in EBM is inconsistent and inconclusive. This should be fairly stated in all EBM-related publications, especially in EBM-based guidelines, to avoid severe misunderstandings in and outside the field of psychiatry. Although EBM might have increased empirically driven rational decision-making in psychiatry/medicine, the current limitations should be carefully considered.
authors: Department of Psychiatry, Ludwig-Maximilian University Munich, Munich, Germany. hans-juergen.moeller@med.uni-muenchen.de
authors: Hans-Jürgen
authors: HJ
authors: Möller
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003662:Decision Theory; D019468:Disease Management; D036262:Empirical Research; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000628:therapy*; D015201:Meta-Analysis as Topic; D010684:Philosophy; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011570:Psychiatry / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011600:Psychopharmacology / Q000379:methods / Q000592:standards; D011619:Psychotropic Drugs / Q000627:therapeutic use; D012660:Semantics
chemical_list: D011619:Psychotropic Drugs