A couple of weeks ago, ABC Radio National's Health Report featured a fascinating discussion with Professor Victor Montori from the Mayo Clinic. He says there are two principles of evidence-based medicine: "One is that the better the research, the more confident the decisions will be. So how do we bring the qualities of the research to bear when people are making decisions? And the second issue was how do we incorporate patient values and preferences in decision making? Without that you're not practicing evidence based medicine."
The emphasis on the patient is vital considering that Prof Montori estimates that only one in five prescriptions in the United States actually get filled, while countless other medications are left in cupboards or disposed of without being taken. Actually involving the patient in medication decisions should, he says, save this incredible waste and expense and lead to better treatment outcomes.
Click here for the transcript, or download or podcast the audio.
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