Principles of EBP

Question 1

Define evidence based practice?

Answer 1

The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient

Systematically reviewing, appraising, and using clinical research findings to aid the delivery of optimum clinical care to patients

Question 2

Define satisficing

Answer 2

Being satisfied with information you can readily summon, sacrificing quality for convenience when providing drug information

Question 3

What are the 5 steps of EBP?

Answer 3

1) Converting the need for information into answerable questions

2) Collecting evidence to answer questions

3) Critically appraising evidence for validity, impact, and applicability

4) Acting on evidence (making decisions by integrating evidence with your clinical expertise and patient value)

5) Evaluate your effectiveness and efficacy and seek ways to improve

Question 4

What are the 5 A’s that summarise the principles of EBP?

Answer 4

Ask a question

Access the evidence

Appraise the evidence found

Apply the information

Audit

Question 5

What are the two strongest form of evidence?

Answer 5

1) Evidence with at least one systematic review

2) at least one properly designed randomised control trial

Question 6

What are the intermediately strong forms of evidence?

Answer 6

3) Evidence from well designed trials without randomisation

4) Evidence from well designed non-experimental studies

Question 7

What is the weakest form of evidence?

Answer 7

5) Opinion based on clinical evidence

Question 8

How is the RAMmBO acronym used to critically appraise a study?

Answer 8

Is the study

(R)epresentative of your patients under question

Is the (A)llocation of intervention –> randomised? comparable groups?

(M)aintenance = course of trial –> are patient’s treated equally? are they compliant?

Study outcome ((m)easurement) = (B)lind subjective? (O)bjective?

Question 9

What does the application of EBP do?

Answer 9

Effective care
Improving patient outcomes
Professional accountability
Efficient use and minimising wastage
Responsible use of scarce healthcare resources
Can influence policy, purchasing and management decisions in health and other sectors

Question 10

What are the limitations to EBP?

Answer 10

Heavily reliant on quantitative research = role of qualitative research in EBP is also important

Limited availability of research evidence base = some areas of healthcare have limited research

Research evidence adequately capturing the complexity and rapidly evolving professional practice

The nature of evidence = alternate suggestions such as knowledge-based practice and information-based practice

Question 11

What does PICO stand for?

Answer 11

Patient
Intervention
Comparison
Outcome

Question 12

What is PICO used for?

Answer 12

Used for formulating/asking answerable clinical questions