Introduction

Question 1

What is evidence-based practice (EBP)?

Answer 1

EBP involves the integration of best research evidence with clinical experience and client values (Wright-St Clair, Reid, Shaw & Ramsbotham, 2014).
Examples of EBP:
>. Potable water instead of saline on wounds;
>. Compression-only CPR; and
>. Immunizations in children.

Question 2

Why is evidence-based practice important?

Answer 2

• Creates a link between research and the application of best practice;
• Affects policy changes (i.e. laws);
• Helps reduce costly unfavourable patient outcomes (even death);
• Creates collaboration amongst healthcare professionals; and
• Assists with integration of best practice across professions

Question 3

What is the danger of not using evidence-based practice?

Answer 3

People are exposed to hazards like:
>. Infectious diseases;
>. Falls;
>. Radiation exposure;
>. Chemical exposure;
>. Assault (e.g. paramedicine, nurses, mental health workers, midwives, policemen); and
>. Injury in workplace (e.g. Pike River).

Question 4

Where does the patient voice fit?

Answer 4

• Patients’ values and preferences are pivotal within the evidence;
• We must learn to listen to the patients’ experiences and understanding of their condition or illness;
• Healthcare workers should involve patients and their whanau in patient care;
• Cultural safety recognises the essential place of power in healthcare and its implementation in practice.

Question 5

Types of evidence compares totwo sides of one coin:

Answer 5

• One kind of evidence involves words and descriptions of
  experiences (qualitative evidence);
• Another kind of evidence involves numbers and/or
  quantities (quantitative evidence).

Question 6

Clip on public health evidence that extends life

Answer 6

Quantitative evidence shows that a group of people should be dead 15 years ago, but the qualitative evidence explains why they are not…

Question 7

What are the challenges for evidence-based practice (EBP)?

Answer 7

• Healthcare practice is constantly evolving;
• There is an exponential increase in knowledge;
• Healthcare workers can rely on experience-based
  knowledge; and
• Service-based research tends to publish findings ‘in-
  house’ rather than in journals