The Pyramid
Evidence is typically ranked on this type of shape, with the strongest evidence at the top and the weakest at the base.
What is a pyramid?
This is the highest level of evidence, combining and analyzing the results of multiple rigorous studies.
What is a systematic review or meta-analysis?
A study that follows a group of people over time to see who develops a certain outcome, like a disease, is called this.
What is a cohort study?
This type of evidence is simply a detailed report on a single patient's case.
What is a case report?
Moving up the pyramid, the quality of evidence ___________, while the quantity of available information_______________.
What is "increases" and "decreases"?
This type of study uses randomization to assign participants to different treatment groups and is considered the gold standard for testing an intervention
What is a randomized controlled trial (RCT)?
A study that compares a group with a specific condition to a group without the condition to identify past exposures is called this.
What is a case-control study?
This type of evidence comes from the collective knowledge of experienced experts in a field.
What is expert opinion?
While high levels of evidence are more rigorous, it's important to combine them with these crucial EBD components when making clinical decisions.
What is clinical judgment or patient values?
A clinical practice guideline based on a systematic review would fall into this highest level of the hierarchy.
What is Level I evidence?
This level of evidence often includes quasi-experimental studies, which have a control group but lack randomization.
What is Level III evidence?
Based on the evidence pyramid, this is the main reason why expert opinion is considered the weakest form of evidence.
What is a high potential for bias?