Evidensbas

Evidensbas is a term used in Scandinavian languages to describe an approach or practice that is grounded in the best available evidence. It is closely related to the broader concept of evidence-based practice, and is applied across fields such as healthcare, education, and public policy. The idea emphasizes making decisions that are informed by research findings while also taking professional judgment and stakeholder values into account.

The concept rests on three core pillars: the best available research evidence, professional expertise and experience, and the preferences, rights, and values of patients, clients, or other stakeholders. In practice, this means integrating systematic evidence with real-world context, goals, and resources. The process typically involves formulating a clear question, searching for relevant studies, critically appraising their quality and applicability, applying the findings thoughtfully, and evaluating outcomes to decide whether to continue, adjust, or abandon an approach.

Evidensbas is applied through guidelines, decision-support tools, and program or policy development. It aims to reduce unwarranted variation and improve quality, safety, and effectiveness. However, it faces challenges such as gaps in evidence for specific populations, difficulties in transferring research to local settings, time and resource constraints, and the risk of overreliance on metrics at the expense of nuanced understanding.

Historically, the evidensbas movement gained prominence in the late 20th century and has since evolved into country-specific practices and terminology, including Swedish and Norwegian usage.