A conceptual framework may be of limited value

Straus et al provide a conceptual framework for evaluation of strategies for teaching evidence based medicine (EBM).1 They correctly state that there is little evidence of effectiveness of teaching EBM, a deficiency frequently identified by critics.2 3 The authors' assumption is that provision of a conceptual framework will lead to better studies. But will it? Is it really the case that a conceptual framework leads naturally to well designed studies? …