Introduction to Evidence Based Medicine
BUSM III: Family Medicine Clerkship
Boston University Medical Center
Tutorial Index
Tutorial Home
Key for Using this Tutorial
Why Bother With EBM?
(4 pages)
Where Do Questions Arise?
4 Elements of a Clear Clinical Question
Why Be So Specific About the Question? (2 pages)
Step 1: Define the Patient or Problem
Step 2: Define the Intervension
Step 3: Define the Comparison
Step 4: Define the Outcome
Summary Table

STEP 1: DEFINE THE PATIENT OR PROBLEM

  • Starting with your patient, ask “How would I describe a group of patients similar to mine?”
  • Balance precision with brevity

“Among female patients over age 65 with unstable gait and atrial fibrillation…”

Created by John Wiecha, Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine.
Website designed by Stefanie Curry, Department of Family Medicine, Boston University School of Medicine.
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