Using scientific evidence to develop clinical practice guidelines

Abstract

The beginnings of evidence-based medicine date back to 1830 in France when Charles Alexander Louis argued that physicians should make clinical decisions grounded in experimental results with measurable effects. Over time, new promoters have given fresh air to this school, which claims that evidence-based medicine aims to bring more science to the art of medicine, properly combining theory with practice. This requires basic knowledge in epidemiology and statistics. The ultimate goal is eminently practical, for which clinical practice guidelines, among other tools, are of great help.