GRADEing quality of evidence and its importance in evidence-based practice

Author(s) Kumar A.; Taggarsi M.
Source BMJ Evidence-Based Medicine; Oct 2021; vol. 26 (no. 5); p. 228-230
Language English
Publication Date Oct 2021
DOI 10.1136/bmjebm-2020-111525
ISSN 2515-446X
Database EMBASE
Abstract
Evidence-based practice forms an integral part of modern-day practice. It is so indispensable that modern healthcare cannot be imagined if evidence and its quality is ignored. However, evidence-based medicine is not as perfect as it is thought. Time and again, researchers have questioned the quality of evidence (QOE) in present era’s researches. The evidence in this regard can be found in the article published in The Lancet by the editor himself. Horton argued that much of the scientific literature, nearly 50%, might be false or untrue because of inclusion of small sample size studies, researches with statistically insignificant effects, unfitting analyses, atrocious conflicts of interest, together with an unrestricted fascination to pursue fashionable trends of dubious importance.
Camouflaged application of evidence-based medicine can be precarious to the patients and may hamper the idea of promoting healthy society.  According to National Institute for Clinical Excellence, approximately 62% of publications used to formulate the guidelines and recommendations of primary care were based on dubious researches and were judged of uncertain relevance to patients.

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