Development of evidence-based medicine and introduction to Korea

Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) demands systematic changes across the healthcare system, essential for enhancing patient safety and quality of medical care. To address the question, "Are we adopting scientific methods to optimize patient safety and enhance treatment efficacy?", assessing the level of EBM implementation is crucial. The adoption rate of evidence-based medical practices varies across countries and medical fields, often being lower in resource-limited settings. In South Korea, there have been several documented cases where the adoption of non-evidence-based practices, such as CARVAR surgical procedures not based on scientific evidence, has led to severe patient safety issues, thereby raising significant concerns about the quality of medical care provided. Conversely, the ABBA Study exemplifies successful application of EBM, demonstrating how scientific research assessed the risk of intracranial hemorrhage in patients with low-dose PPA in OTC cold medicines. This study not only confirmed the associated risks but also influenced health policy, resulting in the withdrawal for PPA-containing OTC cold medicines in Korea. This positive example highlights the imperative for governments, healthcare institutions, and medical schools to expedite the transition to evidence-based, patient-centered healthcare by fostering a robust commitment to systematic reviews and enhanced support for clinical research. The Korean Society of Evidence-Based Medicine (KSEBM) is expected to play a significant role in embedding these core strategies domestically