evidence-based

Refers to the use of evidence, for example from natural scientific or medical studies, as a base for public recommendations, e.g. of the RKI. There are different levels of evidence:

Level I a: Evidence from at least one systematic review of well-designed randomised clinical trials (RCTs).

Level I b: Evidence from at least one well-designed RCT.

Level II a: Evidence from a well-designed trial without randomisation.

Level II b: Evidence from at least one well-designed trial of another type of quasi-experimental studies.

Level III: Evidence from more than one well-designed non-experimental trials.

Level IV: Evidence from opinions and convictions of authorities (from clinical experience); expert commissions; descriptive studies.