Article Understanding Evidence Levels in Evidence-Based Medicine: A ...

Lower levels of evidence, such as expert opinions and case reports, contribute to clinical decision-making in several ways, despite being considered weaker forms of evidence compared to systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and randomized controlled trials (RCTs). While they may not provide the same level of statistical rigor or generalizability as higher-level evidence, expert opinions and case reports offer valuable insights and information that can inform clinical practice in certain contexts. Here's how they contribute:

While expert opinions and case reports have limitations such as subjectivity, selection bias, and lack of generalizability, they remain valuable sources of information and learning in clinical practice. When used judiciously and critically appraised alongside higher-quality evidence, they contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of clinical phenomena, facilitate hypothesis generation, and enrich the evidence base for informed clinical decision-making.