Is evidence‐based practice justified?—A philosophical critique

Abstract

AbstractBackgroundEvidence‐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.MethodThe paper uses a conceptual analysis. First, it describes the implicit epistemology at work in evidence‐based practice. Second, it evaluates the implicit epistemological basis.ResultsThe analysis indicates that evidence‐based practice lacks an explicit epistemological basis. It shows, moreover, that the implicit epistemological basis is untenable.ConclusionThere 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.