Evidence-based medicine built on outcomes research

Abstract

E vidence-based medicine is a hot topic of debate in the healthcare arena. Adoption of this approach involves examining the effectiveness of healthcare interventions and using the data to guide healthcare decision- and policy-making. But just what is considered to be ‘evidence’ and how does it impact on the key players in healthcare? Dr Tony Felton, a general practitioner and advisor to Coopers & Lybrand in the UK, discussed evidence-based medicine at a recent AIC conference entitled ‘Effective Outcomes Measurement’ [ London, UK; January 1997 ].