title: Evidence-based practice as mental health policy: three controversies and a caveat.
abstract: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the subject of vigorous controversy in the field of mental health. In this paper I discuss three distinct but interrelated controversies: how inclusive the mental health evidence base should be; whether mental health practice is a variety of applied science; and when and how the effectiveness goal in mental health is defined. I provide examples of evidence-based policy in mental health. These controversies pertain as well to general medicine. To the extent that they remain unresolved, evidence-based policy making may lead to ineffective and limited care.
authors.affiliation: Ohio State University, Columbus, USA. tanenbaum.1@osu.edu
authors.forename: Sandra J
authors.initials: SJ
authors.lastname: Tanenbaum
mesh_terms: D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine; D006291:Health Policy; D008329:Managed Care Programs / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence / Q000458:organization & administration; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000331:legislation & jurisprudence* / Q000458:organization & administration*; D014481:United States