Evidence-based medicine (EBM): A systematic approach to practicing medicine that allows for the integration of the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values.
Patient decision aids: Tools that help assist and guide patients through the decision making process with a detailed focus on options and outcomes. Patient decision aids are available in a variety of formats, such as pamphlets, DVDs, videos and interactive websites.
Preference-sensitive conditions: A medical condition where there is more than one clinically appropriate intervention or option, each with benefits and drawbacks, and in which the patient’s values and preferences should be critical in determining the chosen intervention.
Unwarranted variation (or geographic variation or practice variation): Differences in health care delivery that cannot be explained by illness, medical need or the use of evidence-based medicine. It can be caused by overuse, underuse or misuse of medical care.
