title: Evidence-based medicine: a commentary on common criticisms.
abstract: Discussions about evidence-based medicine engender both negative and positive reactions from clinicians and academics. Ways to achieve evidence-based practice are reviewed here and the most common criticisms described. The latter can be classified as "limitations universal to the practice of medicine," "limitations unique to evidence-based medicine" and "misperceptions of evidence-based medicine." Potential solutions to the true limitations of evidence-based medicine are discussed and areas for future work highlighted.
authors.affiliation: Division of General Internal Medicine, Mount Sinai Hospital, Toronto, Ont.
authors.forename: S E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Straus
authors.forename: F A
authors.initials: FA
authors.lastname: McAlister
mesh_terms: D016206:Databases, Bibliographic; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006801:Humans; D010043:Outcome and Process Assessment, Health Care; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D012106:Research; D013997:Time Factors