Evidence based practice from the ashes of clinical freedom

Evidence based practice is now the mainstay of medical practice, however this was not always the case. In the 1980’s a debate over the role of research in informing practice was fed by what is now regarded as a seminal article by Hampton (1983). This debate has evolved over the ensuing years and evidence based practice is now an integral part of medicine. If the paramedic profession is to accept the principles of evidence based practice we may need to re-examine the debate. Informing practice through research requires an understanding of that research and the ability to examine issues from a paramedic point of view. Gaining an understanding of the role of research through re-examining the debate may encourage a renewed focus on prehospital research