Definition Of Evidence-Based Practice Evidence-based practice requires a systematic approach to the translation of research findings into practice.

Definition Of Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice requires a systematic approach to the translation of research findings into practice.

Evidence-based practice requires a systematic approach to the translation of research findings into practice. Supporters of evidence-based practice claim that it can to bridge the gap between research and practical application (Reynolds, 2000, p. 19). Evidence-based practices distinguish between research that has immediate practical significance and research that doesn’t. In the case of medicine, this:

“….helps doctors to ignore the vast quantities of clinical research which are not of direct relevance to practice” (Reynolds, 2000, p. 19).

Evidence-based medicine, which is where evidence-based practice originated, consists of five explicit steps (Reynolds, 2000, pp. 22-23):

1. A Specific Question: First, the clinician, faced with a  patient or group of patients, constructs a specific question concerning their care. This could relate to the diagnosis of the problem, the most effective treatments and their possible side-effects, or the best method of delivering services to meet patients’ needs.
2. Finding the Best Evidence: The second stage consists of finding, as efficiently as possible, the best evidence to answer the clinical question.
3. Evaluating the Validirty and Usefulness: Third, the clinician evaluates the evidence for its validity and usefulness.
4. Applying the Practice: Fourth, the results are applied to the specific patient or group of patients.
5. Evaluating the Practice: Finally, the outcome of the intervention is evaluated.

Evidence-based practices in other fields tend to follow a similar process that is modified to fit the context.

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