Practice-based research should be performed in all practice settings if the results are to be applied to all practice settings. While the previous statement seems intuitive, that is to have practice-based evidence strengthen evidence-based medicine. The development of such a system of data collection and dissemination has not developed very rapidly.This lecture will describe how the VetCompass Programme has grown and evolved to now provide a world-leading platform for unbiased, invisible data collection...This is a podcast of Steve and David's talk at the Veterinary Evidence Today conference, Edinburgh November 1, 2016.