A doctor's order. The Dutch Case of Evidence-Based Medicine (1970-2015)

Book excerpt: In the early 1990s, a new concept was coined: ‘evidence-based medicine’ (EBM). After a remarkably short time, EBM was virtually all-pervasive in medicine and healthcare throughout the world. Even outside the domain of healthcare, the new concept became fashionable, for example in the shape of (pleas for) ‘evidence-based management’ and ‘evidence-based policy’. In short, ‘evidence-based’ developed into one of the mantras of the current era. This book uses history as a tool to gain insight into the highly influential, but also elusive and multifaceted phenomenon of EBM. As such, A Doctor’s Order is a ‘must read’ for patients, professionals, managers and policy makers in healthcare as well as for anyone who is interested in understanding the present socio-political order.