Evidence-Based Practice (EBP)

EBP is the process of applying up-to-date research, in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values and choices, to ensure the best possible care. EBP therefore occurs at the intersection of evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences. We locate the best evidence by asking a focused, clearly formulated question and using systematic and explicit methods to identify, select, and appraise research and data. 

Why is EBP important?

• A way of keeping up with new developments
• Assists with making informed clinical decisions based on quality evidence
• Helps incorporate research into practice
• Contributes to increased patient satisfaction

1. Access - successful EBP hinges on access to high-quality information. Research has shown that when clinicians have access to this information, patient care management is better informed 75% of the time; and when clinicians access these resources 95% of their clinical decisions are better informed (Marshall, 2013).
2. Skills - the realities of healthcare practice and information overload create an environment where clinicians “can only answer a limited number of questions" despite access to information resources. As a result many clinical questions go unanswered, affecting the quality of clinical decision making and patient outcomes (Daei et al., 2020).

Key concepts in EBP

• The intersection - evidence-based practice occurs at the intersection of evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences.

  Decision-making - EBP optimises decision-making by ensuring all health professionals utilise evidence from well-designed and rigorously conducted research.

  Well-designed and conducted differentiates high-quality evidence from the rest of online information, which we know is vast, problematic, and increases at an exponential rate.

  Study design - different types of evidence support different situations and levels of decision-making – not all research has the same value. 

  Database selection - EBP is not a Google-like experience! We use Google every day but it can be inaccurate, biased, and it will return everything, including articles published by predatory journals.

  Critical appraisal - even when using high-quality databases, results must be evaluated in a process that assesses methods, validity, and usefulness.