Olawale,

 

Evidence-based practice [EBP], or evidence-based medical practice in our case (often called evidence-based medicine [EBM]) is simply speaking an answer to the question: is what we are doing (with respect to diagnosis and treatment) real, or are we fooling ourselves as clinicians (or is it still a matter of "we don't know"?).

 

The evidence comes from: 

 

1. Studies being done.

2. Sometimes researchers review those studies, to look for a general trend. This then is called a (systematic) literature review.

 

With respect to (self-acclaimed) evidence regarding the effectivity of (our own) methods, keep in mind that "One can not forget the favourable natural history of [pathologies].". The body often has a self-healing capacity, so one should always wonder: did the patient heal because of my therapy, was it even <despite> of my "therapy", or was it just the body's own capacity?

 

If you are looking for a dictionary on research terminology: there is a free one available at www.ptlitup.com | Dictionaries | Dictionary of Research Terms and Abbreviations (note that the term 'reproducibility' will be added shortly).

 

R.,

Frank

 

F.J.J. Conijn, PT
Editor, Physical Therapist's Literature Update
The Internet Journal of Updates for Clinicians in Non-Operative Orthopaedic Medicine
www.ptlitup.com

 

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