AYURVEDIC FRAMEWORK OF CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING: AN EVIDENCE-ORIENTED INTERPRETATION FROM CHARAKA SAMHITA

Clinical decision-making is a crucial component of effective healthcare practice. Modern evidence-based medicine integrates scientific evidence, clinical expertise, and patient-specific factors while planning treatment. Ayurveda, as described in the Charaka Samhita, offers a structured and rational framework for clinical decision-making that closely parallels these principles. The present conceptual study aims to analyze the Ayurvedic principles of clinical decision-making with special reference to Pramana, Hetu, Lakshana, Samprapti (including Samprapti Ghataka analysis), and Yukti. A literary review of relevant sections of the Charaka Samhita was carried out to interpret these concepts in a contemporary scientific context. Ayurvedic diagnosis and management emphasize valid knowledge acquisition, identification of etiological factors, observation of clinical features, detailed understanding of disease pathogenesis, and rational application of treatment. The study highlights that Ayurvedic clinical reasoning is analytical, systematic, and evidence-oriented, and remains relevant to modern healthcare practice.