Background: The scientist practitioner model has been the dominant training model for clinical psychology since the 1950s. However few clinical psychologists continue to consume research after they graduate and even fewer produce research. The specific skills developed in the Evidence Based Medicine (EBM) movement may provide practical ways to attain the scientist practitioner aims at least in the consumption of research. A change in the postgraduate clinical psychology program at Macquarie University allowed the authors to include teaching of EBM techniques.

Objectives: Does a course in evidence based clinical psychology increase skills in evidence based psychology?

Methods: All 28 clinical psychology students enrolled in the unit in 2004 & 2005 were asked to complete a revised version of the Fresno Test of Evidence Based Medicine before and after the relevant lecture material.

Results: Data from the 2005 enrolment is being collected and will be analysed before the conference. Changes from pre to post training will be discussed

Conclusion: The potential benefits and shortcomings of the EBM techniques will be compared with Scientist-Practitioner model and the more guideline based approach exemplified by Society for Clinical Psychology (American Psychological Association Division 12) list of Empirically Supported Treatment materials. The presentation will conclude with some comments about avoiding the barriers to evidence based practice.