Evidence-based critical ultrasound: a mission possible

Abstract

Since the term ‘‘evidence-based medicine’’ (EBM) was coined in 1991 by Professor Gordon Guyatt from McMaster University [1], several developments occurred that involved various aspects of the field including its definition [2]. EBM can be defined as the integration of the best available evidence, together with patients’ expectations/preferences/values, with the health provider’s expertise (3Es). A simplified concept for EBM is shown in Fig. 1. The real impact of EBM is not in acquiring the state of art information technology to obtain the evidence, but rather in utilizing it appropriately. In the current era, clinicians should be valued based on how they think and not on what they know. The information mastery era is concerned with information management and not with information acquisition that allows one to control the information (not the reverse). EBM is a paradigm shift from advocacy to inquiry, from opinion to evidence, from disease-oriented outcome to patient-oriented outcome and from too many or too little information to information mastery. The WINFOCUS organization is committed to utilizing EBM in all its practice and recommendations. Therefore, it established a committee for EBM within the organization to help to achieve this goal. Also, it was decided from the first issue of this new journal (Critical Ultrasound Journal) to have a devoted EBM section, which I am honored to chair with Dr. Larry Melniker. In each issue of this journal, the reader may find in the ‘‘EBM section’’ two to three articles from the following possible five types: