Evidence-Based Medicine: Have you ever heard that putting a spoon in an open bottle of champagne prolongs its fizz and freshness? Many people believe it. But what is the truth? Several years ago, the editors of a scientific journal conducted a simple experiment to test this claim. The results showed that there was no difference between putting a spoon in or not. Both bottles became equally tasteless after about four days.
This small experiment helps us understand that belief and experience can sometimes be confused. The same principle applies in the field of medicine. It is not enough to rely solely on guesswork or experience to judge a drug, treatment, or procedure. What’s needed here is Evidence-Based Medicine, where every conclusion is based on scientific evidence and controlled studies.
What is Evidence-Based Medicine?
Evidence-based medicine refers to health care that is grounded in scientific evidence. It relies not solely on physicians’ experience or patients’ opinions, but on the results of high-quality studies and trials.
Its goal is to ensure that treatment is based on “doing the right thing,” rather than simply “trying everything.” For example, medications or surgeries are not necessary in every situation; instead, choosing the right approach based on the patient’s condition and the available evidence is considered the best treatment.
Controlled and Randomized Trials: A Method for Testing Treatments
Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs) are considered the most important in evidence-based medicine. In these, patients are randomly divided into two or more groups.
- One group is given a new treatment or medication.
The other group is given either the old medication or a placebo.
The results of both groups are then compared. This method ensures that personal bias or psychological influences do not influence the results.
Sometimes, small studies involving 50–100 people are sufficient. However, in cases of serious illnesses, larger studies involving thousands of participants and spanning several years are required.
A landmark study saving the eyesight of premature babies
The practice of giving oxygen to premature babies began in the 1940s. This increased their chances of survival, but also led to the emergence of a new disease – retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). This disease damaged the retinas of babies’ eyes so severely that they became blind.
Initially, it was difficult to understand the true cause. Conflicting reports began coming from different hospitals. Some argued that oxygen was harmless, while others considered it the root cause of the disease.
Finally, in 1953, 18 hospitals in the United States conducted a randomized controlled trial. The results clearly showed that excessive oxygen administration tripled the risk of developing ROP in infants. Subsequently, oxygen doses were reduced worldwide, saving the eyes of thousands of children.
This example illustrates how essential controlled trials are to reaching correct conclusions.
Balancing Experience and Science
Medicine is not just a science, but also a field of experience. The doctor’s experience and the patient’s individual circumstances are as important as scientific evidence.
Evidence-based medicine states that:
- The doctor should understand and utilize available research and evidence.
- The options should be discussed with the patient and explained.
- The patient’s preferences, wishes, and expectations should also be factored into the decision.
This way, the patient can make a more informed and informed choice of treatment.
When a Clear Answer Isn’t Available
Sometimes, even scientific studies don’t provide clear conclusions for or against a treatment. A medication may be beneficial but also have serious side effects. In such cases, the doctor and patient must work together to weigh the pros and cons.
This is why evidence-based medicine isn’t limited to simply saying “yes” or “no.” It’s a process that evaluates options and empowers the patient to make informed decisions.
Why is evidence-based medicine important?
- Avoiding unnecessary treatments: Patients can be spared from treatments that have no real benefit.
- Safety: Using proven treatments reduces side effects and poor decisions.
- Transparency: Patients receive complete information about options and possibilities.
- Balance: It combines the doctor’s experience, the patient’s wishes, and scientific research.
Conclusion
Evidence-based medicine teaches us that health care should not be based solely on guesswork, belief, or experience. A balance of scientific testing, solid evidence, and experience is the key to achieving sound medicine.
Whether it’s the myth of the spoon in a champagne bottle or the landmark study that saved the eyes of premature babies – all these examples show us that evidence is crucial to making informed decisions. Therefore, evidence-based medicine is not only a principle in modern healthcare but also a life-saving guide for both patients and doctors.
