Getting new evidence into medicine

The rate of transfer of the knowledge gained from health and medical resear ch into evidence-based practice is determined by many factors. Preconditions for the uptake of new evidence are the availability of good e vidence, ready access to the evidence, a supportive organisational environm ent, and effective mechanisms for promoting knowledge uptake. Evidence-based medicine is being promoted in Australia by a body of enthusi astic clinicians, public health practitioners and consumer advocates, suppo rted by initiatives from national, Stale and local healthcare services and professional bodies. The short to medium term future of evidence-based medicine in Australia is likely to be shaped by three major factors: a reduction in cost and technic al barriers which limit access to computerised databases; a trend towards s hared decision-making between clinicians and patients; and increased demand for information to fill the gaps in research-based evidence on specific pr oblems.