Guidelines are not evidence

James P. Meza MD, PhD, Wayne State University School of MedicineFollow
Nicholus H. Yee MD, Oakwood Annapolis Hospital Family Medicine ResidencyFollow

Abstract

Guidelines are inherently flawed when caring for an individual patient, because they apply to populations, not individuals. A strong competency in reading and interpreting clinical research gives doctors the power to evaluate guidelines and make appropriate shared decisions with their patients.