1. Because we would like to optimally individualize patient care, n-of-1 randomized clinical trials are at the top of the hierarchy of study designs, followed by conventional randomized trials. Next in the hierarchy are observational studies; we should try to find studies that focus on outcomes important to the patient. Next, if there are no clinical studies available, we may look at basic scientific research, although caution must be used in extrapolating the results to the clinical setting. Clinical experience is at the bottom of the hierarchy, either your own or that of colleagues or experts.
Source: What Is Evidence-Based Medicine?, Users' Guides to the Medical Literature: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, 3rd ed
Citation: Guyatt G, Rennie D, Meade MO, Cook DJ. Users' Guides to the Medical Literature: A Manual for Evidence-Based Clinical Practice, 3rd ed; 2015 Available at: Accessed: November 10, 2017
Copyright © 2017 American Medical Association. All rights reserved