Evidence-based medicine (EBM) was proposed as a possible method of solving
two of health care's present problems: the increasing flood of information
and rising expenditures. Although this concept appears to be plausible, the
measurable improvements in health care brought about by possible implement
ation of EBM should be explicitly descibed. After having demonstrated the p
resent problems as well as the necessity to solve them, we described the go
als intended to be achieved by the implementation of EBM. Furthermore, the
impact of EBM on medical education was described. The possible influence of
EBM on the effectiveness and efficiency of health care was also considered
. The conflicts caused by the introduction of EBM were demonstrated using t
he example of the ,,German Guideline Discussion". Finally, three proposals
were made; the integration of EBM into education, the avoiding of conflicts
similar to the German Guideline Discussion and the need to alter the polit
ical framework accompanying these processes.