Evidence-based clinical behavior analysis, evidence-based medicine and theCochrane collaboration. (vol 30, pg 1, 1999)

Encouraging professionals in training and later to consider practice-relate d research findings when making important clinical decisions is an on-going concern. Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) and the Cochrane Collaboration (CC) provide a source of tools and ideas for doing so, as well as a roster of c olleagues who share this interest. Evidence-based medicine involves integra ting clinical expertise with the best available external evidence from syst ematic research as well as considering the values and expectations of patie nts/clients. Advantage can be taken of educational formats developed in EBM , such as problem-based learning and critical-appraisal workshops in which participants learn how to ask key answerable questions related to important clinical practice questions (e.g., regarding effectiveness, accuracy of as sessment measures, prediction, prevention, and quality of clinical practice guidelines) and to access and critically appraise related research. The Co chrane Collaboration is a world-wide network of centers that prepare, maint ain, and disseminate high-quality systematic reviews on the efficacy of hea lthcare. These databases allow access to evidence related to clinical pract ice decisions. Forging reciprocal working relationships with those involved in EBM and the CC should contribute to the pursuit of shared goals such as basing clinical decisions on the best-available evidence and involving cli ents as informed consumers. (C) 1999 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reser ved.