RCVS Knowledge endorses the Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine Manifesto

As a long-time proponent of evidence-based medicine, we are pleased to have contributed to the development of the manifesto, and drafted this alongside esteemed colleagues Dr Rachel Dean of VetPartners, Dr Marnie Brennan of the Centre for Evidence-based Veterinary Medicine at the University of Nottingham, and Suzanne Jarvis of Vet Record.

The manifesto lays out actions to help veterinary professionals to make better evidence-based decisions for better animal health. As such, it is a natural complement to the range of activities RCVS Knowledge has offered to our colleagues in the professions over the past five years to encourage the adoption of an evidence-based approach to advance the quality of patient care.

We work hard to provide free tools, resources and education to support thousands of veterinary professionals in delivering high-quality, evidence-based medicine to millions of animals. In 2016, we set up Veterinary Evidence, the only free, open access, peer-reviewed journal for veterinary professionals that publishes evidence responding to specific information needs. We provide the only comprehensive veterinary library and information service offered to those in practice, and our expanding suite of quality improvement (QI) resources, informed by research we commissioned to assess QI in the veterinary sector, enable frontline veterinary professionals to reflect on their work and implement an evidence-based approach into practice.

Chris Gush, Executive Director of RCVS Knowledge, said: “Our landmark publication, EBVM Matters: Our Commitment to the Future, released last year, demonstrates the phenomenal impact of an evidence-based approach on patient outcomes through 14 case studies by UK member organisations, vet-schools and policy-making bodies. The commitment has been signed by over 50 individuals and organisations to date, who pledge their support of EBVM. EBVM Matters demonstrates a real-life application of the calls to action identified in the manifesto, indicating the success an evidence-based approach to veterinary research and practice has already achieved; spanning small animal, farm, equine, animal welfare, agriculture and nursing.

“We therefore wholeheartedly support the EBVM manifesto and look forward to working in partnership with the manifesto’s endorsers and other organisations to further advocate for the adoption of EBVM to help advance the quality of veterinary care.”

Read the full manifesto on Vet Record.