Quite often there are several different ways for a physician to treat a medical condition. The practice of medicine is often called an art but at its core it is based upon sound scientific principles and knowledge. The science of medicine is continually being enhanced, reviewed and updated. At its best, the medical management of conditions should be based upon the most up-to-date scientific and clinical evidence that tells us the best treatment for a particular condition. You as a patient have a right to expect that your physician is using the most current knowledge in choosing how to manage your condition. Physicians should expect that they will be supported in their continuing quest to apply the best information to their practice.

One of the most trusted sources for reliable, scientific medical information has been the British Medical Journal. They have assembled a special panel of international experts from
a variety of medical disciplines to produce a book called Clinical Evidence. Its purpose is
to provide physicians with the most updated information on the management of more than 1,000 medical conditions.

Commentaries

We appreciate the opportunity to provide thoughtful commentaries by distinguished physicians that address the translation of the best science into daily clinical practice.

Commentary: Improving Prescription Drug Container Labeling in the United States -
A Health Literacy and Medication Safety Initiative
The American College of Physicians Foundation

Commentary: Putting Evidence Into Practice - Palliative Care
Klara Brunnhuber, Stephen Nash, Diane E. Meier, David E. Weissman
James Woodcock
BMJ Group

Commentary: Crossing The Classroom–Clinical Practice Divide In Palliative Care
By Using Quality Improvement Methods
Linda Emanuel, MD, PhD
Northwestern Feinberg School of Medicine

Commentary: Lifting The Veil- How The Local Delivery System Influences Care
At The End Of Life
Elliott S. Fisher, MD, MPH, David Goodman, MS, MD,
John E. Wennberg, MD, MPH, Jonathan Skinner, PhD
The Dartmouth Atlas Working Group

Commentary: Putting Evidence into Practice - Smoking Cessation
Klara Brunnhuber, K. Michael Cummings, Sheila Feit,
Scott Sherman, James Woodcock
BMJ Publishing Group

Commentary: Putting Evidence into Practice: Outpatient
Management of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
Sheila Feit, MD
BMJ Publishing Group

Commentary: Health Information Technology
David Blumenthal, MD, MPP
Institute for Health Policy

Commentary: Clinical Evidence
Michael L. Millenson
Northwestern University

Commentary: Involving the Public In Clinical Research
Myrl Weinberg, CAE, President
National Health Council

Commentary: Evidence-based Medicine and Ethics
Mary Catherine Beach, MD, MPH
Ruth Faden, MPH, PhD
Phoebe R. Berman Bioethics Institute
Johns Hopkins University

Commentary: Improving Quality and Safety of Healthcare
Delivery From the Payer’s Perspective
Suzanne Delbanco, Chief Executive Officer
The Leapfrog Group

Commentary: Better Health Through Research
Mary Woolley, President
Research!America

Commentary: Evidence-based Medicine and Practice Variations
John E. Wennberg, MD
Director, Center for the Evaluative Clinical Sciences
Dartmouth Medical School

Commentary: Evidence-based Medicine
Donald M. Berwick, MD, MPP
President and CEO
Institute for Healthcare Improvement

Commentary: Why Evidence-based Medicine is a Key
Component of Patient Safety
Karyn Baum, M.D.
Assistant Professor of Medicine
University of Minnesota

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