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Health Sciences Resources: Evidence-Based Practice

 

Evidence Based Practice

What it is and how to implement it into your professional work?

This guide is designed to help you understand and implement Evidence Based Practice in your professional work. It provides resources, tools, and information to support your research and application of EBP principles.

Evidence Based Practice

Introduction to Evidence Based Practice

What is Evidence Based Practice?

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is an approach to clinical decision-making that integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. It aims to improve patient outcomes by applying the most current and relevant information to healthcare decisions.

The EBP Process

The EBP process involves five key steps:

  1. Ask: Formulate a clear, answerable clinical question.
  2. Acquire: Search for the best available evidence.
  3. Appraise: Critically appraise the evidence for its validity and relevance.
  4. Apply: Apply the evidence to clinical practice.
  5. Assess: Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the practice.

Formulating a Clinical Question

PICO Framework

The PICO framework is a tool used to formulate clinical questions in a structured and focused way. It stands for:

  • Patient/Problem
  • Intervention
  • Comparison
  • Outcome

Example: In patients with chronic low back pain (P), does yoga (I) compared to standard physical therapy (C) improve pain management (O)?

SPICE Framework

SPICE is an acronym that stands for Setting, Perspective, Intervention, Comparison, and Evaluation. It's a framework often used in research, particularly in fields like healthcare, to develop research questions, especially in qualitative studies.

Example: Impact of telemedicine on patient satisfaction in rural areas.

  • Setting:

    • Where? Rural healthcare clinics in the southeastern U.S.
    • Key characteristics? Limited in-person services, high telemedicine use.
  • Perspective:

    • Whose viewpoint? Patients using telemedicine.
    • Why? To understand their satisfaction and challenges.
  • Intervention:

    • What? Use of telemedicine for consultations.
    • Expected impact? Improved access and satisfaction.
  • Comparison:

    • Alternative? In-person consultations.
    • Difference? Requires more time and travel.
  • Evaluation:

    • Outcome? Patient satisfaction levels.
    • How measured? Compare satisfaction between telemedicine users and in-person visitors.

SPIDER Framework

The SPIDER framework is used for developing qualitative research questions and stands for Sample, Phenomenon of Interest, Design, Evaluation, and Research type. Here's a brief explanation of each component:

  • Sample: The group of individuals or entities involved in the study.
  • Phenomenon of Interest: The specific experiences, behaviors, or processes being examined.
  • Design: The structure or approach of the study used to investigate the phenomenon.
  • Evaluation: The outcomes or results being observed and how their significance will be assessed.
  • Research type: The nature of the research, such as qualitative, quantitative, or mixed methods.

ExampleExploring the experiences of nurses working in high-stress emergency departments.

  • Sample:

    • Who? Registered nurses working in emergency departments.
    • Selection criteria? Nurses with at least one year of experience in high-stress environments.
  • Phenomenon of Interest:

    • What? Experiences and coping strategies of nurses dealing with high-stress situations.
    • Why? To understand how stress impacts their work and well-being.
  • Design:

    • How? Conduct in-depth interviews with nurses to gather qualitative data on their experiences.
    • Structure? Semi-structured interviews to allow for detailed responses.
  • Evaluation:

    • What? Themes related to stress management and job satisfaction.
    • How? Analyze interview transcripts to identify common themes and patterns.
  • Research type:

    • What? Qualitative research.
    • Why? To gain deep insights into personal experiences and perceptions.

Finding Evidence

Databases and Journals

Key databases for EBP include:

Search Strategies

Effective search strategies include:

  • Using specific keywords related to your PICO question
  • Applying Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to refine your search

Grey Literature

Grey literature refers to research that is not published in traditional journals. It includes reports, theses, conference papers, and more. Important sources of grey literature are:

  • OpenGrey (link)
  • National Institutes of Health (NIH) (link)
  • World Health Organization (WHO) (link)

Appraising the Evidence

Critical Appraisal Tools

Use tools like:

  • CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklists (link)
  • PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) (link)

Levels of Evidence

Understanding the hierarchy of evidence helps in determining the strength of recommendations:

  • Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
  • Randomized controlled trials (RCTs)
  • Cohort studies
  • Case-control studies
  • Case series and case reports
  • Expert opinion

Systematic Review Flowchart

Applying the Evidence

Integrating Evidence into Practice

Strategies for implementation include:

  • Developing clinical guidelines and protocols
  • Collaborating with interdisciplinary teams
  • Engaging in continuous education and training

Case Studies and Examples

Explore real-world applications of EBP through case studies and examples from various healthcare settings.

Assessing the Outcome

Evaluating the Impact

Methods for assessing outcomes:

  • Patient feedback and satisfaction surveys
  • Clinical outcome measures
  • Quality improvement metrics

Continuous improvement is vital to ensure that EBP is effectively enhancing patient care and outcomes.

Additional Resources

Websites and Online Resources

  • Cochrane Collaboration (link)
  • Centre for Evidence-Based Medicine (CEBM) (link)
  • National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) (link)

Video: What is Evidence Based Practice

Video: What are Systematic Reviews