Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is defined as the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions (Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes, & Richardson, 1996).
With its origins in medicine, evidence-based practice has been applied to other health fields, and also to social science (e.g., criminal justice, social work) and education fields. Evidence-based practice is constantly being modified to best suit the subject to where it is applied.
Various disciplines have defined evidence-based practice steps based on their needs. They have their specific steps, but the general steps consist of the following (Booth & Brice, 2004):
1. Defining the Problem: convert a precise information need from practice into an answerable, focused, structured question.
2. Finding Evidence: search the information resources (professional literature, databases, etc.) relevant to the topic in question
3. Critical Appraisal/ Appraising Evidence: examine a resource's validity, reliability, and applicability to the question or problem.
4. Integrating or Applying Results of Appraisal: integrate new information with one's own knowledge base and patient/scenario preferences, and apply to practice.
5. Re-evaluating the Process: review the process, outcome, and possible ways to improve practice.
Sources: Booth, A., & Brice, A. (Eds.). (2004). Evidence-based practice for information professionals: A handbook. London: Facet Publishing.
Sackett, D.L.., Rosenberg, W. M., Gray, J. A., Haynes, R. B., & Richardson, W.S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't. BMJ, 312(7023): 71-72.
Training for Evidence-Based Practice may be available for free through many of the links listed below.
Use the links below to explore topics related to Evidence-Based Practice across the disciplines.
Additional information and resources about Evidence-Based Practice can be found at
Critical Appraisal Skills for Healthcare Students
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Are you struggling to make sense of complex research papers and craft insightful critiques for your academic assignments? Then look no further! Critical Appraisal Skills for Healthcare Students is your indispensable guide to understanding research papers, mastering critical appraisal, and most importantly, succeeding in your summative assignments. While this text is written with Level 5 students in mind, you will find it is a useful text at any academic level when required to engage in evidence-based practice. In today's ever-evolving healthcare system, the ability to critically appraise research evidence is crucial. In pre-registration programmes, this core skill is often assessed through written assignments. However, students can struggle not only to interpret research papers and evaluate their quality, but also to write about this appraisal in an academic way. This comprehensive textbook equips healthcare students with the evidence skills they need, while also enhancing their ability to produce high-quality assignments. Authored by experienced academics with over two decades of teaching research and evidence-based practice, this text covers core topics such as: The significance of evidence in practice, locating and selecting appropriate literature, and navigating assignments based on the appraisal of research Strategies for reading research papers and understanding them before appraisal The fundamentals of critiquing research, with Key Fact sheets summarising the design issues of specific types of research How to move beyond EBP for academic assessment, towards using evidence in everyday professional practice Critical Appraisal Skills for Healthcare Students is an excellent core text to master the art of critical appraisal and enhance academic performance.
Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses
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Evidence-Based Point-of-Care Starts with Evidence-Based ResearchEvidence-Based Practice for Nurses: Appraisal and Application of Research continues to be an essential resource for teaching students how to translate research into practice in an updated sixth edition. Built upon the foundation of the five step IDP process (knowledge, persuasion, decision, implementation, and confirmation), this comprehensive resource guides students through the hierarchy of evidence while interweaving concepts such as the evolution of nursing science, quality improvement projects and how they relate to evidence-based practice, as well as search strategies and how to choose a specific research design.Both students and instructors alike praise the organization and presentation of content from authors, Schmidt and Brown. They thoughtfully divided chapters into 'bites', breaking down larger core concepts into smaller, easily digestible parts of the whole, ensuring nursing students grasp a key concept before progressing to the next. Furthermore, to bring content to life, they've woven the Apply What You've Learned case study throughout every chapter to illustrate the importance of hand hygiene. Evidence-Based Practice for Nurses: Appraisal and Application of Research, Sixth Edition delivers a solid introduction to nursing research and substantive strategies that will prepare nursing students for evidence-based point-of-care in their clinical careers.Interested in what educators think of this title? Check out the two reviews below from Professors Catherine Schmitt and Susan Rasmussen regarding their thoughts on this book.Catherine Schmitt ReviewSusan Rasmussen Review Addresses the "what", "how", and "why" of evidence-based nursing practice in a simplified and concise presentation. Updated Critical Thinking Exercises challenge students to put in the analytical work necessary to unlock the power of evidence-based practice. Test Your Knowledge questions throughout the text confirm a base understanding before progressing to further concepts and topics. Features a hierarchy of evidence to help students identify the types of evidence that fit within each level as well as the tools necessary to appraise evidence. Every new print copy includes access to Navigate Advantage with robust learning resources to support self-paced learning, including the interactive eBook with Quizzes and Knowledge Checks, Flashcards, and Interactive Case Studies. Instructor resources include Slides in PowerPoint format, an Instructor's Manual, Competency Mapping, a Sample Syllabus, Test Bank, and Interactive Case Studies (available with Navigate access only) Nursing Research Research & Theory © 2025 | 650 pages
Introducing Research and Evidence-Based Practice for Nursing and Healthcare Professionals
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Research can seem difficult to get to grips with. However, at the heart of this new edition is the view that research is essentially a simple activity, the principles of which can be readily understood by students new to the subject. Each chapter guides the reader to uncover the 'mysteries' of research, exposing each aspect in turn, while demonstrating how research in healthcare is a practical activity, orientated directly to patient care. Fully updated to refer to the latest sources and studies, the third edition includes:  a new chapter on systematic literature views;  a new chapter on research ethics;  a completely revised chapter on evidence-based practice which now focuses more tightly on the implementation of research and other forms of evidence. This book is designed for all students of nursing and allied health professions at any level but who find themselves studying research for the first time. Research is illustrated through examples of activities familiar to students from their daily lives, which help build confidence in undertaking research and evidence-based practice.
A fundamental skill required for EBP is to create a well-built clinical question.
Patient/Population/Problem
Intervention: Drug, Diagnostic Test, Etc.
Comparative Intervention: Gold Standard, Control, or Other Comparison
Outcome: Desired Result
Some health practices utilize an additional element to the clinical question, or Time:
Time: What is the time frame?
See the following links for demos on building a PICO(T) question. Although some have an emphasis in medicine, the fundamental concepts apply to other disciplines.
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