title: What should urologists know about evidence-based medicine?
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This article outlines the basic principles of evidence-based medicine (EBM) and provides urologists with some tools to further explore, understand, and work with EBM.
  
  
  METHODS
  A narrative review was conducted illustrating several aspects of EBM.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on the definition of EBM, the aspects of evidence are clarified and a systematic approach is presented for integrating the evidence with individual patient values and circumstances. Next, sources for finding the best evidence are described and misconceptions about EBM are corrected. Finally, the current state of EBM in urology is discussed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  It is clear that EBM will have an increasing relevance for urologists. Therefore, it is essential that all urologists have an understanding of the fundamental principles of EBM.
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Spaarne Ziekenhuis Hoofddorp, The Netherlands.
authors.forename: Jan W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Mazel
authors.forename: Rudolf W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: Poolman