ABSTRACT
National research priorities were identified and Regional Research and Development Directorates were given the lead for one or more of the confirmed priorities. As a result, clinical effectiveness has become part of day to day language amongst all individuals involved in healthcare as well as patient organisations; the consumer role in evidence-based healthcare has been highlighted; and a national framework for action has been published by the NHS Executive. Frontline evidence-based medicine projects, using a method developed at McMaster University, were sponsored by the North Thames Implementation Group of the R&D Directorate. Talking about clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice can be a turn off for many professionals. Clinicians are trained to do their best for their patients and have a duty to keep up to date. Only then can an organisation truly become a learning one, and begin to fulfil the requirements of clinical governance.
