Is evidence-based practice justified?-A philosophical critique.

BACKGROUND

Evidence-based practice is the principle governing a range of healthcare practices and beyond. However, it has suffered from a lack of philosophical rigour. This paper sets out to analyse the epistemological basis of evidence-based practice.

METHOD

The paper uses a conceptual analysis. First, it describes the implicit epistemology at work in evidence-based practice. Second, it evaluates the implicit epistemological basis.

RESULTS

The analysis indicates that evidence-based practice lacks an explicit epistemological basis. It shows, moreover, that the implicit epistemological basis is untenable.

CONCLUSION

There is a need to re-think the epistemological basis for evidence-based practice. Evidence-based practice is out of touch with developments within philosophy of science.