Evidence-based practice
Evidence-based Practice
Evidence-based practice (pronunciation: /ˈɛvɪdəns beɪst ˈpraktɪs/) is an approach to healthcare that emphasizes the use of empirical evidence from well-designed and conducted research to guide decision-making.
Etymology
The term "evidence-based practice" was first used in the 1990s, originating from the field of medicine. The concept is derived from the term "evidence-based medicine," which was coined by a group of medical educators led by Gordon Guyatt at McMaster University in Canada.
Definition
Evidence-based practice involves the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.
Related Terms
- Clinical Practice Guidelines: These are systematically developed statements to assist practitioner and patient decisions about appropriate healthcare for specific clinical circumstances.
- Systematic Review: A type of literature review that collects and critically analyzes multiple research studies or papers.
- Randomized Controlled Trial: A type of scientific experiment that aims to reduce bias when testing a new treatment.
- Meta-analysis: A statistical analysis that combines the results of multiple scientific studies.
Importance
Evidence-based practice is important because it aims to provide the most effective care that is available, with the aim of improving patient outcomes. Patients expect to receive the most effective care based on the best available evidence.
Implementation
Implementing evidence-based practice involves a multi-step process that includes formulating a clear clinical question, searching for the best available evidence, critically appraising the evidence, integrating the evidence with one's clinical expertise and patient preferences and values, and evaluating outcomes.
Challenges
Despite its importance, implementing evidence-based practice can be challenging. Barriers can include a lack of available research, difficulty in understanding statistical methods, and resistance to change among healthcare professionals.
External links
- Medical encyclopedia article on Evidence-based practice
- Wikipedia's article - Evidence-based practice
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