Which of the following is NOT a source of evidence for evidence-based medicine as described?

Which of the following is NOT a source of evidence for evidence-based medicine as described?

• A. Tradition
• B. Experience
• C. Research
• D. Anecdote

Answer: (D)

In evidence-based medicine, decisions come from high-quality research combined with clinical expertise and the patient’s values and preferences. Anecdotes are personal, uncontrolled stories about a single or few cases. They can be memorable, but they don’t show what would happen in the broader population, because they’re subject to many biases, confounding factors, and lack of generalizability. Because of that, anecdotes don’t provide reliable, generalizable evidence to guide treatment choices. Research offers the rigorous data, while experience and patient values help apply that data in real-world care. Tradition might influence questions or be considered informally, but it’s not the rigorous source of evidence that evidence-based practice relies on.

In evidence-based medicine, decisions come from high-quality research combined with clinical expertise and the patient’s values and preferences. Anecdotes are personal, uncontrolled stories about a single or few cases. They can be memorable, but they don’t show what would happen in the broader population, because they’re subject to many biases, confounding factors, and lack of generalizability. Because of that, anecdotes don’t provide reliable, generalizable evidence to guide treatment choices. Research offers the rigorous data, while experience and patient values help apply that data in real-world care. Tradition might influence questions or be considered informally, but it’s not the rigorous source of evidence that evidence-based practice relies on.