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Evidenzbasierte Medizin – Blaupause für Evidenzbasierte Gesundheitspolitik?

  • Bernt-Peter Robra and David Klemperer
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Abstract

Evidence-based medicine - blueprint for evidence-based health policy-making? Evidence-based medicine (EbM) requires medical decisions to be made on the basis of the best available scientific evidence. According to Virchow, politics is nothing more than medicine on a large scale. This article therefore examines the similarities between individual medicine and policies focused on health problems. To this end, we first describe the individual medical care process, which develops from the patient’s presenting concern via problem clarification to the determination of treatment objectives and interventions between doctor and patient. Since Hippocrates, medicine has been considered a „téchnē“, a skill-set that can be taught and learnt. It is intended to bring about health and requires practical reason and judgement. Aristotle uses the terms „poíēsis“ and „phrónēsis“ for this. Empirical data and scientifically compiled research results (i. e. evidence) support this process. The elementary constellation of „evidence for phrónēsis“ is transferable to (supra-individual) health-related governance processes, in this case the organisation of the healthcare system and population-related health protection (evidence-based public health, evidence-based health policy). Actors, contexts and the complexity of decisions differ at both levels. However, both levels access the same supporting evidence system. At both levels, evidence is therefore a necessary but not sufficient condition for action. Science generates evidence and is the „handmaiden“ of phrónēsis and poíēsis on both levels.

Abstract

Evidence-based medicine - blueprint for evidence-based health policy-making? Evidence-based medicine (EbM) requires medical decisions to be made on the basis of the best available scientific evidence. According to Virchow, politics is nothing more than medicine on a large scale. This article therefore examines the similarities between individual medicine and policies focused on health problems. To this end, we first describe the individual medical care process, which develops from the patient’s presenting concern via problem clarification to the determination of treatment objectives and interventions between doctor and patient. Since Hippocrates, medicine has been considered a „téchnē“, a skill-set that can be taught and learnt. It is intended to bring about health and requires practical reason and judgement. Aristotle uses the terms „poíēsis“ and „phrónēsis“ for this. Empirical data and scientifically compiled research results (i. e. evidence) support this process. The elementary constellation of „evidence for phrónēsis“ is transferable to (supra-individual) health-related governance processes, in this case the organisation of the healthcare system and population-related health protection (evidence-based public health, evidence-based health policy). Actors, contexts and the complexity of decisions differ at both levels. However, both levels access the same supporting evidence system. At both levels, evidence is therefore a necessary but not sufficient condition for action. Science generates evidence and is the „handmaiden“ of phrónēsis and poíēsis on both levels.

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