The goal of evidence-based medicine is to decrease the knowledge gap between research and practice by interpreting conflicting results and assessing the evidence. The steps involved include precisely defining a patient population, proficiently searching and critically appraising relevant information from the literature, and then deciding whether - and how - to use this information in the treatment of patients. In order to provide readers with an expansive introduction, the authors have included chapters on cost effectiveness in primary care, computer aids to clinical practice, and assessing accuracy of screening and diagnostic tests. This practical text lays the groundwork for understanding the evidence-based approach so that physicians can improve their everyday clinical decision making skills.

Alfred O. Berg, M.D., M.P.H.: Professor and Acting Chair of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Edward J. Boyko, M.D., M.P.H.: Professor of Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Chief, General Internal Medicine Section, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle; Director, Epidemiologic Research and Information Center, Seattle Mick Braddick, M.B., Ch.B.: Clinical Epidemiologist, Department of Provider Education and Guidelines, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle Richard A. Deyo, M.D., M.P.H.: Professor of Medicine and of Health Services, University of Washington School of Medicine and School of Public Health and Community Medicine, Seattle; Head, Section of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Sherry Dodson, M.L.S.: Clinical Medical Librarian, Health Sciences Library, University of Washington, Seattle Mark Ebell, M.D., M.S.: Associate Professor of Family Practice, Michigan State University College of Human Medicine, East Lansing Joann G. Elmore, M.D., M.P.H.: Associate Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Associate Professor of Epidemiology, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle John P. Geyman, M.D.: Professor Emeritus of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Jennifer Hrachovec, R.Ph., M.P.H.: Clinical Epidemiology Fellow, Department of Provider Education and Guidelines, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle William F. Miser, M.D., M.A.: Associate Professor of Family Medicine, Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus Douglas S. Paauw, M.D., F.A.C.P.: Associate Professor of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Attending Physician, Department of Medicine, University of Washington Medical Center and Harborview Medical Center, Seattle Thomas H. Payne, M.D.: Clinical Assistant Professor of Medicine and Health Services, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Associate Chief Medical Officer for Clinical Information Management and Attending Physician, VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Linda E. Pinsky, M.D.: Assistant Professor of Medicine and Adjunct Assistant Professor of Medical Education, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle Scott D. Ramsey, M.D., Ph.D.: Assistant Professor of Internal Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Staff Physician, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Sarah Safranek, M.L.I.S.: Information Management Librarian, Health Sciences Library and Information Center, University of Washington, Seattle Michael E. Stuart, M.D.: Clinical Assistant Professor of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Director, Department of Provider Education and Guidelines, Group Health Cooperative of Puget Sound, Seattle Sean D. Sullivan, Ph.D.: Associate Professor, Department of Pharmacy and Health Services, School of Pharmacy, University of Washington, Seattle Thomas R. Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., F.R.C.P.: Associate Professor of Family Medicine, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Attending Physician, Multi-Disciplinary Pain Center, University of Washington Medical Center, Seattle Joyce E. Wipf, M.D.: Associate Professor of Medicine and Associate Director of Medicine Residency Program, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle; Staff Physician, University of Washington Medical Center and VA Puget Sound Health Care System, Seattle Fredric M. Wolf, Ph.D.: Professor and Chair of Medical Education, University of Washington School of Medicine, Seattle