Evidence Based Practice

Define evidence-based practice (EBP). Discuss the key elements in EBP and the role informatics plays in three of these elements.

Evidence-based practice is “a process, which encompasses the use of best available evidence alongside clinical expertise and the patients’ perspective, to plan care as well as evaluating the performance through a process of self-reflection or peer assessment” (Scott & McSherry, 2009, p.1090). Evidence-based practice is “A core body of nursing knowledge is derived from the process in which research is incorporated into practice; this process has been called best practice, quality of care, and evidence-based practice” (Boswell & Cannon, 2011, p. 23).

Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt (2005) suggested five key elements of evidence-based practice. These are : –

• Asking the important clinical question.
• Collecting the most relevant and best evidence.
• Critically appraising the evidence.
• Integrating the evidence with one’s ownclinical expertise and patient preferences tomake a practice decision.
• Evaluating the outcomes of that decision.

References:

Boswell, C. and Cannon, S. (2007). Introduction to nursing research: Incorporating evidence-based practice. Sudbury, MA: Jones and Bartlett

Scott, K., & McSherry, R. (2009). Evidence-based nursing: clarifying the concepts for nurses in practice. Journal of Clinical Nursing, 18(8), 1085-1095. Retrieved from CINAHL Plus with Full Text database.