Practicing evidence-based dermatology: a short guide.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a paradigm for systematically collecting, evaluating, and applying the best information currently available to improve patient outcomes. Effective evidence-based practice requires defining an answerable, well-built question, systematically searching for the best current evidence, and appraising that evidence for validity. Essential components of EBM also require using our clinical expertise to integrate these data with our patients' characteristics, values, and circumstances; archiving the results of our EBM search; and evaluating the efficiency and effectiveness of the EBM process. Incorporating EBM to bring the best current evidence into our field can be mastered with practice and a commitment to apply the process daily.