Epilogue: some final thoughts on EBP.

Abstract

PURPOSE: In this afterward, I will offer some final thoughts on this clinical forum by considering a central question of EBP--how experimental validation is defined--to illustrate the difficulty involved in implementing EBP. METHOD: The comments draw on critical reviews I have received on my article in this forum and conversations I have had with professional colleagues about EBP. CONCLUSION: Like most scientific constructs, EBP is open to different interpretations. At their worst, these differences have the potential to polarize clinical practice. The hope, however, as Kent and Fey have expressed, is that articles and commentaries such as these will serve as the basis for discussion and even argument among clinicians and researchers as we attempt to define a philosophy and implementation of EBP suited to our profession.