1. A measure of the accuracy or success of a diagnostic or therapeutic technique when carried out in an average clinical environment. Cf.:efficacy. 2. The extent to which a treatment achieves its intended purpose.
- relative biologic e. (RBE) a factor used to compare the biologic effect of absorbed doses of different types and energies of ionizing radiation. It is determined by the ratio of an absorbed dose of the particular radiation in question to the absorbed dose of a reference radiation required to produce an identical biologic effect in a specific organism, organ, or tissue.
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ef·fec·tive·ness (ə-fekґtiv-nəs) 1. the ability to produce a specific result or to exert a specific measurable influence. 2. the ability of an intervention to produce the desired beneficial effect in actual use; cf. efficacy.Medical dictionary. 2011.