The evidence clinicians need – and the questions that shape it

Published: 10 July 2026

Author(s): Michael Levy

The evidence clinicians need - and the questions that shape it

Evidence is most meaningful when it helps clinicians make informed decisions in practice.

That may sound obvious, but it is easy to lose sight of. The data we gather, whether from clinical studies or directly from clinical practice, is crucial, but is only one part of the equation supporting clinical decision-making. What matters just as much is whether the evidence is clear enough, relevant enough, and responsive enough to support real decisions in the settings where care is delivered.

When evidence leaves the page

Some of the most important work begins once evidence moves beyond registration studies and into clinical practice. At that point, the focus shifts to how the data are being interpreted, where uncertainty still remains, and what questions continue to surface in real world practice. Elucidating those questions is vital. Often they show where guidance is still needed and highlight the different contexts where more evidence could be useful. That is especially true when the same data may be interpreted differently depending on the care setting, the patient population, or the practical realities clinicians are dealing with day to day.