EC Orthopaedics

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has existed for over 30 years, and its impact has percolated into different healthcare fields. It integrates the current scientific evidence, the physician's clinical expertise and the patient's values in managing disease to improve the treatment outcome [1]. The idea of EBM is attractive, given that the clinical evidence is up-to-date, the physician is knowledgeable about all the proven and less evidenced treatments, and the patient understands the pros and cons of the different management approaches and can intelligently discuss with the physician.

Over the years, emphasis has been put on performing more randomized controlled studies to provide evidence for a particular treatment, and the components related to physicians and patients are becoming more sidelined. So, does having all the evidence-based information and having patients make choices translate into better patient outcomes?

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