Challenging question: is treating inflammatory bowel disease an art or strictly an evidence-based matter?

Although evidence-based medicine (EBM) is the gold standard for clinical practice, misconceptions among health care providers regarding EBM are common. The medical management of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has advanced substantially over the last 20 years as a direct result of the wealth of new evidence generated by randomized controlled trials. Integrating EBM and traditional clinical skills results in optimal care tailored to the individual patient. This article addresses the role of EBM in the management of IBD and dispels some of the common misconceptions about the use of EBM in practice.