Evidence-Based Medicine and Complementary Medicine !

Practice flashcards covering key concepts from the lecture on Evidence-Based Medicine and Complementary Medicine.

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM)

A systematic approach to medical practice emphasizing the use of the best available evidence in clinical decision-making.

Complementary Medicine

Health-related practices that are used alongside conventional medical treatments.

Alternative Medicine

Medical practices and products not typically included in conventional medicine.

Randomized Controlled Trials (RCTs)

Experiments that randomly assign participants to treatment or control groups to assess the efficacy of a treatment.

Clinical Judgment

The application of a healthcare provider's experience, education, and decision-making skills in diagnosing and treating patients.

Meta-Analysis

A statistical technique that combines the results of multiple studies to provide a comprehensive estimate of effect.

Efficacy

The ability of a treatment or drug to provide a beneficial effect under ideal conditions.

Case-Control Study

A study that compares individuals with a specific condition to those without, looking back to determine exposure to potential risk factors.

Prospective Cohort Study

A study that follows a group of individuals over time to determine the effects of certain interventions or exposures.

Levels of Evidence

A hierarchy of evidence that ranks the quality of research studies.

Nutrition and Health

The study of how dietary choices impact health outcomes, often guided by evidence-based recommendations.

NPN (Natural Product Number)

A designation by Health Canada indicating that a natural health product has been evaluated for safety but not efficacy.

DIN (Drug Identification Number)

A designation that indicates a prescription medication has been approved by Health Canada for efficacy and safety.

DINHM (Homeopathic Medicine)

A designation that signifies a homeopathic product that has been registered with Health Canada.

Open Minded Skepticism

The practice of being open to new ideas while critically evaluating the evidence and effectiveness of those ideas.

Clinical Practice Guidelines

Systematically developed statements to assist practitioners and patients in making decisions about appropriate health care.

Observational Study

A study where the researcher observes outcomes without manipulating the environment or treatment conditions.

Qualitative Studies

Research focused on personal experiences and opinions, often less structured than quantitative studies.

Complementary and Alternative Medicine (CAM)

A group of diverse medical and health care systems, practices, and products that are not considered part of conventional medicine.

Chiropractic

A form of alternative medicine focused on the diagnosis and treatment of mechanical disorders of the musculoskeletal system.

Acupuncture

A traditional Chinese medicine technique involving the insertion of needles into specific points on the body to relieve pain or treat various conditions.

Health Literacy

The ability to access, understand, and use health information to make informed decisions about one's health.

Systematic Review

A comprehensive survey of the evidence from multiple studies on a specific topic, aimed at synthesizing and summarizing findings.

Public Health

The science of protecting and improving the health of communities through education, policy making, and research.

Practitioner-Patient Communication

The process by which health professionals share information and engage in discussions with patients regarding their care.

Health Claims

Statements made about the health benefits of a product or treatment, which should be backed by scientific evidence.

Placebo Effect

A beneficial physiological or psychological change in a person resulting from the belief that a treatment will work, rather than from the intrinsic properties of the treatment itself.

Blinding

A procedure in clinical trials where one or more parties (participants, researchers, assessors) are unaware of the treatment assignments to prevent bias.

Bias (Research Bias)

Any systematic error in a study that results in an incorrect estimate of the association between exposure and outcome.

Integrative Medicine

A comprehensive approach to healthcare that combines conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary

Placebo Effect

A beneficial physiological or psychological change in a person resulting from the belief that a treatment will work, rather than from the intrinsic properties of the treatment itself.

Blinding

A procedure in clinical trials where one or more parties (participants, researchers, assessors) are unaware of the treatment assignments to prevent bias.

Bias (Research Bias)

Any systematic error in a study that results in an incorrect estimate of the association between exposure and outcome.

Integrative Medicine

A comprehensive approach to healthcare that combines conventional medical treatments with evidence-based complementary

Informed Consent

A fundamental ethical principle in medical research and practice, requiring patients to be given full information about a treatment or study before agreeing to participate.

Peer Review

The evaluation of scientific work by others working in the same field, often prior to publication, to ensure quality and validity.

Double-Blind Study

A type of clinical trial where neither the participants nor the researchers know who is receiving the active treatment and who is receiving a placebo, minimizing bias.

Intervention Study

A type of study where researchers actively intervene with a treatment or exposure in one group and compare the outcomes to a control group.

Statistical Significance

A measure of the probability that an observed difference between groups in a study is due to chance. Often expressed as a p-value.