Not all medical research is created equal, so how do we know which studies to trust?

The phrase _evidence-based medicine_ (EBM) is often misunderstood and misused. What does it truly mean to rely on evidence in clinical decision-making?

Dr. Gordon Guyatt, the father of the term evidence-based medicine, explains how to assess scientific studies, understand the strength of different types of evidence, and apply findings to clinical decisions.

Want to make better-informed health decisions? This interview will help you learn how to critically assess medical evidence for yourself. In this conversation, Dr. Guyatt breaks down:

  • ✅ Why some studies are more trustworthy than others\
  • ✅ The limitations of observational studies in nutrition and medicine\
  • ✅ How the GRADE framework categorizes evidence from high to low certainty\
  • ✅ How to critically assess nutrition and mental health research\
  • ✅ The importance of patient values in clinical decision-making

As new chronic disease treatments emerge from rapidly evolving research, understanding the quality of evidence is more important than ever. The ability to distinguish robust data from weak correlations isn’t just a skill—it’s essential for making informed, effective decisions in patient care.

#MetabolicMind #EvidenceBasedMedicine #MedicalResearch #NutritionScience #GRADEMethod #HealthDecisions

*Expert Featured:*
Dr. Gordon Guyatt, MD
https://x.com/GuyattGH
[email protected]

*Resources Mentioned:*
Core GRADE Workshop
- https://hei.healthsci.mcmaster.ca/events/core-grade-workshop/

*Timestamps:*
0:00 - Introduction to Dr. Gordon Guyatt and evidence-based medicine. Explanation of the GRADE approach: Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation.
2:32 - How does Dr. Guyatt define evidence-based medicine? How has the definition evolved over time?
4:45 - When should patient preferences and values come into play with evidence-based medicine?
8:17 - How does the quality of evidence affect what treatments can be considered “evidence-based medicine?”
11:52 - What is the impact of hazard/odds ratios on determining the quality of a piece or pieces of evidence?
17:00 - How does “healthy user bias” impact the quality of studies?
19:54 - Breaking down the Bradford Hill criteria and the GRADE criteria. Has the GRADE criteria had a strong effect on research and treatments?
28:26 - How does the “dose response” of a study affect the quality of evidence?
30:14 - Are observational studies helpful in the negative?
33:11 - How are average people supposed to know what evidence to trust?
39:55 - Can clinicians effectively apply the GRADE criteria with individual patients?
43:16 - Where can people learn more from Dr. Gordon Guyatt?