Evidence-based clinical behavior analysis, evidence-based medicine and theCochrane collaboration

Encouraging professionals in training and later to consider practice-relate d research findings when making important clinical decisions is an on-going concern. Evidenced-Based Medicine (EBM) and the Cochrane Collaboration (CC ) provide a source of tools and ideas for doing so, as well as a roster of colleagues who share this interest. Evidenced-based medicine involves integ rating clinical expertise with the best available external evidence from sy stematic research as well as considering the values and expectations of pat ients/clients. Advantage can be taken of educational formats developed in E BM, such as problem-based learning and critical-appraisal workshops in whic h participants learn how to ask key answerable questions related to importa nt clinical practice questions (e.g., regarding effectiveness, accuracy of assessment measures, prediction, prevention, and quality of clinical practi ce guidelines) and to access and critically appraise related research. The Cochrane Collaboration is a world-wide network of centers that prepare, mai ntain, and disseminate high-quality systematic reviews on the efficacy of h ealthcare. These databases allow access to evidence related to clinical pra ctice decisions. Forging reciprocal working relationships with those involv ed in EBM reciprocal and the CC should contribute to the pursuit of shared goals such;as basing clinical decisions on the best-available evidence and involving clients as informed consumers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.