[Thirty years of EBM: what has changed, what has yet to change.]

Evidence-based medicine and clinical practice should not be seen as opposing entities. Evidence-based medicine suggests some rules to design and interpretation of clinical research, with the aim of improving population and individual health. The set of data produced and their transferability to general context must be considered taking into account the clinical setting, and the characteristics of the patient and his values. Furthermore, the author considers the problems related to clinical guidelines, useful tools as long as they transparently combine the available evidence with the assessment of validity and relevance limiting risks related to conflicts of interest. Finally, the article underlines the importance of educational programs aimed at promoting critical thinking offered not just to health professionals, but also to children and adolescents.