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Definition Evidence Based Medicine (EBM)
The official definition of EBM is: the explicit, judicious, and conscientious use of the best available evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. This is considering the current state of medical science. 

The practice of EBM involves integrating the following 3 factors in clinical decision-making:

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EBM in healthcare
EBM has become the standard for quality care in recent decades. Policymakers and health insurers use this criterion [1]  to determine what meaningful and safe care is. In (para)medical professions, such as nursing, psychotherapy, and physiotherapy, work is done based on this Best Practice principle. Complementary therapies, such as acupuncture, do not yet meet these criteria.
3 generations of acupuncture research have sparked discussions about whether acupuncture is Evidence Based or not. Different countries around the world have varying perspectives on this. For holistic and particularly practice-oriented medicine like TCM, decades of research have not yielded a satisfactory outcome for both policymakers and the professional group itself. The main accusation from policymakers is the placebo accusation: acupuncture is nothing more than an effective placebo. Acupuncturists are faced with the challenge of finding an appropriate design to measure the complex nature of an acupuncture treatment. The NVA is constantly working on criteria to promote quality and working according to Best Practice.

Annotations on EBM.
The evidence-based model (EBM) (medicine based on evidence) has not only supporters in healthcare, but also many critics. A good overview can be read on wikipedia [2].

Greenhalgh T. discusses in her article [3] the unintended consequences of the EBM movement. She argues not to underestimate the expert judgment of the practitioner when it comes to decision-making.

Prof. Dr. Yvo Smulders also wonders whether epidemiological evidence [4] should always be the standard for determining good care.

The Dutch Advisory Council for Public Health and Society (RVS) has released a report [5] titled "No evidence without context" in which they have critically examined the assumption that proven care is always good care.
Upon inquiry, many acupuncturists* have switched to acupuncture out of frustration with the overly rational EBM thinking.
* To be read in the section 'Highlighted' - 'the acupuncturist tells'. 

"Without clinical expertise practice risks become tyrannized by external evidence: For even excellent external evidence can be inapplicable to or inappropriate for an individual patient".

David L. Sackett, 

Johanna Biemans MSc, Clinical Epidemiologist

References:

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