A review of mass-gathering medicine literature published by the Journal Prehospital and Disaster Medicine, demonstrates the progressive development of our knowledge and understanding of the health effects of mass gatherings and the strategies that appear to contribute positively to effective health services delivery during these events. In addition, the growing need for research that can underpin a more evidence-based approach to planning for and managing these events is apparent. The call for less descriptive and more critical and conceptual analyses has been increasing in volume and, it is argued, the challenge now is to apply research frameworks that can contribute more effectively to science-based, medical practice.