The scientification of the clinic and the standardization of medical practices: on the role of professional judgments in the world of evidence

Abstract

The discussion evidence-based medicine raised about the need to develop formal instruments to support medical decision-making that contribute to strengthening its scientific profile gave rise to a reflection on the need for greater standardisation to reduce the variation in medical practices. This study develops a sociological approach that focuses on problematizing the idea of standardisation based both on the analysis of the theoretical debate and from significant empirical research. It argues that standards fail to produce uniform effects and that their adaptation to the heterogeneous circumstances of clinical practice makes it difficult to hide the role of interpretative processes as the basis to develop judgments in medical decisions.