Why evidence-based medicine matters in veterinary practice

A December 3, 2025, SkeptVet post argues that evidence-based medicine, or EBM, is less a slogan than a practical defense against the ways human judgment can go wrong. In the piece, veterinarian Brennen McKenzie frames EBM as a method for countering confirmation bias, overconfidence, and other cognitive errors by combining the best available research with clinical expertise and client values. That framing aligns with how major veterinary evidence groups define evidence-based veterinary medicine: the Evidence-Based Veterinary Medicine Association says EBVM integrates critically evaluated research, clinical expertise, and each client’s needs, while RCVS Knowledge describes it as applying the best relevant evidence in the context of the individual patient and care setting. (skeptvet.com)

Why it matters: For veterinary professionals, this is a timely reminder that evidence-based practice is also a misinformation issue. As science and veterinary advice face growing public skepticism, EBVM offers a structured way to assess claims, explain recommendations to pet parents, and separate plausible therapies from anecdote, marketing, or social-media-driven trends. A recent commentary in Veterinary Evidence noted that EBVM has become embedded across academic, regulatory, and professional settings over the past two decades, with organizations including AVMA, CVMA, and RCVS tying practice expectations to scientific, evidence-based decision-making. (veterinaryevidence.org)

What to watch: Expect continued discussion in veterinary education, clinical guidance, and public-facing communication about how EBVM can help clinicians respond to misinformation without losing trust or nuance. (veterinaryevidence.org)