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 3: DEFINE THE COMPARISON

  • A comparison intervention may not always be necessary.
  • Ask: “What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention?
  • Be specific.

“...when compared with no anticoagulation…”

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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