What is the medical practice called that relies on scientific evidence for treatments?

The practice that relies on scientific evidence for treatments is known as evidence-based medicine. This approach integrates clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision-making process for patient care. It emphasizes the use of the most current and high-quality research findings to guide healthcare treatments and interventions. By utilizing rigorous scientific methods, evidence-based medicine ensures that healthcare decisions are grounded in validated data, leading to more effective and efficient patient care.

In contrast, traditional medicine may incorporate long-standing practices and cultural beliefs without necessarily being supported by scientific research. Holistic care takes into account the whole person and their environment but doesn't specifically require methods or treatments to be backed by scientific evidence. Clinical anecdotes refer to individual stories or observations in clinical practice, which do not provide sufficient evidence to form reliable medical guidelines. Hence, these approaches do not have the same rigorous foundation in scientific testing and validation as evidence-based medicine.