Quality healthcare, evidence-based medicine and translational research

Abstract

Advances in medical care ensure that with the passage of time we are increasingly able to effectively tackle diverse medical problems. These advances, however, do come at a cost and the benefits derived need to be assessed on a regular basis. The ability to increase longevity and hold disease progression at bay needs to be balanced against the ensuing quality of life of the subject, the long term demands on the individual, and on the healthcare system. The financial implications for the individual and the state as well as the ultimate well being of the individual and of society need to be included in the increasingly complex equation that constitutes healthcare provision.