ABSTRACT
This chapter provides that an overview of the development of evidence-based practice (EBP), considers the processes of EBP, and discusses its limitations in palliative care. In response to high-profile initiatives of governments and provider agencies, health professions are increasingly embracing the use of evidence-based guidelines to inform practice. The British government has also established a number of centres for EBP, supported by health research centres such as the Kings Fund. Clinical practice guidelines, systematically developed on the basis of consensus within expert groups, consist of statements to assist the decisions of practitioners and patients regarding appropriate health care in specific clinical circumstances. The Health Advisory Committee of the National Health and Medical Research Council funds the Australasian Cochrane Centre. The centre draws on the methodology and findings of the international Cochrane Collaboration to promote evidence-based medicine in Australia and New Zealand.
