Therapeutics, Evidence and Decision-Making

This book is intended to help decision-makers use, assess and appraise the evidence that underpins decisions about the use of therapeutic interventions. It will inform decision-makers about the nature of evidence, the strengths and weaknesses of the available approaches, and how these can bemost effectively distilled for the purpose of reaching reliable conclusions. It aims to encourage decision-makers to base their judgements about the use of therapeutic interventions on an informed appraisal of the totality of the evidence base. Is it reliable? Is it generalisable beyond the contextof the environment in which the primary research has been conducted? Do the intervention's benefits outweigh its harms? Is it cost effective as well as clinically effective? Is it, indeed, fit-for-purpose? Ultimately, good judgement is at the heart of decision-making in therapeutics.An invaluable text for all physicians, pharmacists, nurses, health commissioners and purchasers and indeed anyone having to make decisions concerning evidence-based therapeutics.

Michael D Rawlins MD FRCP FMedSci is Chairman, National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, London; Emeritus Professor, University of Newcastle-upon-Tyne; and Honorary Professor, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, UK.