RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Applying the results of clinical trials to patients to general practice: perceived problems, strengths, assumptions, and challenges for the future. JF British Journal of General Practice JO Br J Gen Pract FD British Journal of General Practice SP 1173 OP 1178 VO 48 IS 429 A1 T Fahey YR 1998 UL http://bjgp.org/content/48/429/1173.abstract AB Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and systematic reviews of RCTs now provide the most robust external evidence about the effectiveness of patient care. There are, however, several assumptions made when applying the results of RCTs to individual patients. This paper aims to outline the perceived barriers against the use of RCTs in practice, while emphasizing the rationale and advantages underlying the approach. A critical discussion concerning the assumptions made when applying evidence from RCTs to individual patients will be presented, with a worked example derived from a patient with acute sinusitis. Finally, proposals concerning the effective implementation of evidence derived from RCTs in the context of individual patient care will be discussed.