About Evidence-based Medicine

Aims and Scope

Evidence-Based Medicine surveys a wide range of international medical journals
applying strict criteria for the quality and validity of research. Practising clinicians
assess the clinical relevance of the best studies. The key details of these essential
studies are presented in a succinct, informative abstract with an expert commentary on
its clinical application.
Published bi-monthly, Evidence-Based Medicine offers comprehensive coverage of
primary care medicine. It includes a wide array of clinical disciplines, including
family practice, internal medicine, paediatrics, obstetrics, gynaecology, psychiatry,
and surgery.
This page last updated 17th August 2004
Dr Haynes, Health Information Research Unit, 3H7
Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Biostatistics
McMaster Uniniversity Faculty of Health Sciences
Brian Haynes MD PhD
McMaster University Faculty of Health Sciences
Ontario, Canada
Paul Glasziou MBBS PhD
Department of Primary Health Care & Director, Centre for Evidence-Based Practice
Oxford, UK
Definitions
Evidence-based medicine/healthcare is looked upon as a new paradigm, replacing the
traditional medical paradigm which is based on authority. It is dependent on the use of
randomised controlled trials, as well as systematic reviews (of a series of trials) and
meta-analysis, although it is not restricted to these. There is also an emphasis on the
dissemination of information, as well as its collection, so that the evidence can reach
clinical practice. It therefore has commonality with the idea of research-based
practice. It is also closely linked with the Cochrane Collaboration which is a
worldwide network of centres, whose aim is to promote and foster this approach. The
UK Cochrane Centre (NHS R & D Programme, Summertown Pavilion, Middle Way,
Oxford OX2 7LG) is also part of the NHS R & D's information systems strategy.
Although an apparently recent idea, evidence-based medicine has a longer history in
the USA than in the UK and its philosophical origins go back to the 19th. century.
However it is not necessarily an obvious concept and the Definitions of Evidence
Based Practice Web page from ScHARR, which gives a number of definitions, may
help.