Although some controversy remains about its evidence base the concept has become well established [ 18].
Even though the use of systematic research has deep roots in the history of medicine, the concept "evidence based medicine" (EBM) was first introduced in 1991 by Gordon Guyatt [1].
Shadow Minister for Industrial Strategy Chi Onwurah reminded us that the plural of anecdote is not evidence, and eloquently expressed the concept of evidence based policy, in contrast to policy based evidence.
In the last two decades the concept of evidence based medicine (EBM) developed into a gold standard for health services planning and delivery [ 1].
In the 1990's the broadening of the concept of evidence based medicine towards evidence based practice reflected a growing recognition of the need for decisions about health care interventions to be based on evidence of effectiveness.
(Acad 1) Within this network of South Africa researchers, the concept of evidence based medicine had been diffused extensively: "No, it [the clinical maternity care guidelines] was purely evidence based.
In practice, treatment decisions often involve a complex set of observations based on previous experience, local context and external evidence, a situation similar to the concept of evidence based medicine [ 12].
Probably this is precisely why the concept of evidence based policy, which, on many occasions, suggests instrumental use, should be replaced by evidence informed policy, which is related to conceptual use.
The concept of evidence based medicine (EBM) as "the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence" and "integration of individual clinical expertise" [ 3] offers a theoretical framework to combine scientifically generated knowledge and personal experience.
Little has been done to assess the degree to which practicing physicians understand and use critical appraisal skills, or the degree to which they subscribe to the concepts of evidence based medicine.
