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Abstract

This chapter explores the origins and the development of evidence- based medicine (EBM), with a focus on the relationship between EBM and healthcare managerialism. Although the origins and key features of EBM have been widely discussed in the clinical and healthcare literature, there is some variation with regard to authors’ views about when EBM was created and what its key characteristics are. While most scholars would consider EBM a relatively recent development which started in the early to mid-1990s, others would locate the origins of the approach to earlier periods. Likewise, while most definitions of EBM would emphasise its focus on clinical practice based on a systematic analysis (and/or meta-analysis) of published research, others would emphasise specific methodologies such as randomised control trials (RCTs) as a means of underpinning medical decisions and practice within EBM.

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© 2014 Sara Melo and Matthias Beck

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Melo, S., Beck, M. (2014). Evidence-Based Medicine. In: Quality Management and Managerialism in Healthcare. Palgrave Macmillan, London. https://doi.org/10.1057/9781137351999_5

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