Evidence-based medicine as a strategy for improving the quality of clinical decision making for dialysis patients

Traditional clinical decision making has been based on information provided by clinical experts, usually during undergraduate and post graduate training, and then supplemented by formal continuing medical education and informally through consultations. There is an implicit assumption that the need for scientific information is satisfied by this process. However, there is convincing evidence that this assumption is incorrect [1]. The opinion of experts is often inconsistent with scientific evidence [2]. In response to this unsatisfactory situation, the concept of evidence-based medicine has evolved [3].