CAPRE arose from a long-standing interest of Dr. Walter Rosser’s in critically appraising literature for the benefit of family physicians. This interest led to the development of a course at the University of Toronto at the graduate studies level in critical appraisal in 1991. This was followed by the writing of a textbook for the course that was published in 1998 with a subsequent update in 2004. The course was turned into on-line modules in 1997. Recently, these modules along with the CAPRE Web site were updated.

By completing the steps of a CAPRE module, it is hoped that physicians will be encouraged to incorporate critically appraised information and strategies into daily practice for the benefit of their patients. Patient involvement in decision making has been demonstrated to lead to higher patient satisfaction with their healthcare and it is more likely that patients will follow the decision made.

Dr. Richard Birtwhistle has also helped in the development of CAPRE modules. Dr. Birtwhistle is the Director of the Centre for Studies in Primary Care, a family physician, and a Professor in the Departments of Family Medicine and Community Health and Epidemiology at Queen's University.