cookbook medicine


A popular term for the practice of medicine by strict adherence to practice guidelines, which may not be an appropriate substitute for clinical judgement

ev·i·dence-based med·i·cine

(ev'i-dĕns-bāst med'i-sin) The process of applying relevant information derived from peer-reviewed medical literature to address a specific clinical problem; the application of simple rules of science and common sense to determine the validity of the information; and the application of the information to the clinical problem.
See also: Cochrane collaboration, clinical practice guidelines

cookbook medicine

The use of algorithms (in place of individualized care) in medicine; the reliance by practitioners on protocol and rules rather than on a comprehensive, individual approach to the medical needs of a patient.See also: medicine