Defining Evidence-Based Practice
In recent years, the use of evidence-based practice has become increasingly revered as a vital and necessary part of medical care. Both individual practitioners and organizations are adopting models of healthcare delivery based on this principle, as well as coaching their staff in order to adopt it. To understand this gradual shift in medical trends, it is necessary to define evidence-based practice and discuss why it is considered to be inseparable from modern medicine. The term “evidence-based practice” refers to a collection of practices and approaches focused on utilizing the newest reputable research and knowledge in care settings. Evidence-based practice allows nursing professionals and other medical staff to make informed decisions about patient care (Dang et al., 2021). Medical research gets published daily, with nurses, doctors, and scientists worldwide providing their insights into the field. The combined effort of many professionals contributes to the expansion of the knowledge pool and allows new medical approaches to be developed.
However, to appropriately take advantage of the newest research, current practitioners need to complete a set of prerequisites. First, they must be aware of its existence and take their time to study it. This includes participating in nursing discussions, subscribing to research journals, and facilitating workplace practices that make research more widely available. Then, doctors and nurses must use their own professional skills and knowledge to identify gaps in healthcare delivery that can be fixed with emergent research. Once this is completed, it is also necessary to adjust the new information and its approaches, as well as the expected outcomes for the population that will be treated. When all of these steps are complete, practitioners gain the capacity to utilize evidence-based practice in their work.
Importance of Evidence-Based Practice
Patients
For patients, the inclusion of evidence-based practice is a direct guarantee of better service. When using EBP, medical staff are able to address the inefficiencies of their existing systems and work on improving them. In this case, patients may see an introduction of new treatments that can better address their condition and provide a better quality of overall care.
Populations
According to existing research, population health is dependent on the use of EBP (“Evidence-based medicine to evidence-based public health,” 2022). By applying research in healthcare settings, more people get high-quality treatment in a timely manner, allowing them to lead happy, fulfilling, and productive lives. As a result, the health and prosperity of an entire population can increase. The adoption of evidence-based practice contributes to the wellness of many.
Practice
For nurses and other medical professionals, the adoption of EBP is an important step in their career development. Being allowed to read about emergent trends in patient care and healthcare organization gives practitioners insights into how their work should be conducted and expands their skills. Therefore, the application of EBP is conducive to better individual medical practice.
Healthcare Systems
Healthcare systems as a whole benefit from the use of evidence-based practice as well. Similarly to an individual’s practice, emergent research can affect how a healthcare organization is run and managed. With an ever-expanding body of evidence to suggest that some ways of providing healthcare, structuring workplaces, or conducting training are more effective than others, leaders and managers alike are able to draw from a reliable pool of information. As a result, healthcare systems can improve their effectiveness and efficiency.
Policy
The evidence-based practice performs an important function of informing policy. In order to establish better legislation for medical care, it is necessary for legislators and medical workers alike to understand what approaches are best suited to complete their core objectives. By providing hard data and new ideas for professionals to consider, EBP fuels positive changes in policy and flexibility in adopting new regulations.
References
Dang, D., Dearholt, S. L., Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2021). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model and guidelines (4th ed.). Sigma Theta Tau.
Evidence-based medicine to evidence-based public health. (2022). Subject Guides at NYU Health Sciences Library.