Evidence-Based Practice

What is Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach for healthcare that integrates best practices from evidence found in scientific literature and combines it with clinician expertise and patient preferences to make patient care decisions. The goals of evidence-based decision-making (EBDM) are to reduce variations in practice, enhance the quality of care, improve patient outcomes and reduce costs¹.

Seven Steps of the EBP Process 

1. Cultivate a spirit of inquiry within an EBP culture and environment.
2. Ask the clinical question in EBP format.
3. Systematically search for and collection the most relevant best evidence.
4. Critically appraise the evidence (i.e. rapid critical appraisal, evaluation, synthesis and recommendation).
5. Integrate the best evidence with one’s clinical expertise and patient/family-valued preferences in making a practice decision or change.
6. Evaluate outcomes of a practice decision or change based on evidence.
7. Disseminate the outcomes of the EBP decision or change.

Meet Our Team

1. Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.