Definition

"The conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. The practice of evidence based medicine means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research" David Sackett, et al. "Evidence Based Medicine: What It Is and What It Isn't," BMJ 1996; 312 (7023) 72-72.

• University of Pittsburg-Supercourse on Evidence-Based Practice
• The University of Sheffield- Definitions of Evidence Based Practice

Importance to Pharmacists

Health-system pharmacists have vast opportunities to be involved in patient care. As patient advocates, pharmacists are uniquely positioned to promote use of evidence based practice guidelines and standards and improve patient outcomes. Health-system pharmacists can take an active role in educating other healthcare professionals on use and implementation of evidence based practice.

View articles on the importance of EBP

History

The term "EBM" first appeared in 1992 in the article by Guyatt G, Cairns J, Churchill D, et al. "Evidence-based medicine. A new approach to teaching the practice of medicine." JAMA 1992;268:2420-5. Together with his collegue, David Sackett, from McMaster University, Guyatt led a research group that worked on the question of what is the best evidence.. However, the idea of establishing standards for evidence appeared many years earlier. Professor Archie Cochrane, from UK, in 1948 pioneered idea of randomized clinical trials and called for establishing standards and guidelines for systematic reviews of clinical trials. His work led to establishment of Cochrane Centres.

• Evidence-Based Medicine: History And Context. Health Affairs, 24, no. 1 (2005): 8
• History of evidence-based medicine. Oranges, chloride of lime and leeches: barriers to teaching old dogs new tricks. Emerg Med Australas. 2005 Aug;17(4):314-21.