Introduction to evidence-based family practice

ABSTRACT

@#While the definition of EBM can be straightforward in other medical field, family and community medicine practitioners take on very different roles in different health systems. Despite the challenges presented, EBM is still necessary in family and community practice. Family and community medicine practitioners must be able to obtain, assess, apply and integrate new knowledge based on available evidence throughout their professional life. From the definition of EBM and the nature of family practice described previously, we propose to define “Evidence-based Family Practice as the conscientious and judicious use of the current, relevant, applicable and best available evidence in making shared clinical decisions for patient care. Such decisions must account for the capacity and setting of the family practitioner and patient preference”. The proposed steps are 1) Framing the Clinical Problem, 2) Searching for the Evidence, 3) Critical Appraisal, 4) Informing the Patient About the Evidence, 5) Shared Decision Making, and 6) Evaluation of the Decision.