Liberating clinical effectiveness: a model for consideration

This paper explores Habermas' knowledge constitutive interests as a basis for clinical effectiveness. Clinical effectiveness and evidence based practice are clarified and Habermas interpretation of critical theory is introduced as an instrument which could arguably fulfil the needs of both concepts. The knowledge constitutive interests have the capacity to encompass science and evidence based practice via technical knowledge, the practical interests via interpretive knowledge and the freedom to change practice via emancipatory knowledge. This gives an opportunity for technical science and interpretive knowledge to facilitate the liberation of nurses via clinical effectiveness. The paper culminates in the presentation of a visual model to articulate this proposal.