Why Evidence-Based Practice?
Population-based outcome studies have found that therapies that are evidence-based have more positive effects on patient care than opinion-based healthcare. For example, heart attack survivors prescribed aspirin or beta-blockers have lower mortality rates than those who aren’t prescribed these drugs.
EBH comprises of 5-steps:
Step 1. A decision needs to be made arising from a patient’s care or service development.
Step 2. You formulate a focused question, accounting for your population group, problem, intervention and any comparisons or outcomes.
Step 3. You identify the appropriate resources to search for the best evidence - here’s where the library can help the most.
Step 4. Critically appraise the evidence -the library can help you here too!
Step 5. Implement in practice, if applicable.
