[Evidence-based medicine: popular nonsense, old wine in new bottles or current necessity?]

This article is intended to provide a comprehensive overview regarding motives, implications, aims, history, underlying principles, and methods as well as criticism and potential impact of "Evidence Based Medicine" (EBM). The term was defined and the movement initiated by British and Canadian clinicians-epidemiologists. So far, a translation and national adaptation remain to be established. It seems that EBM is suited to compensate for many irrationalities within our clinical practice and health care system. Not only should the underlying principles, aims, methods, and techniques of EBM be considered in clinical practice and primary care in Germany. They should also be emphasized during medical training and postgraduate education and in the needs-oriented distribution of scarcening resources.