Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem solving approach to clinical practice and decision making within healthcare. EBP integrates a systematic search for and critical appraisal of the most relevant evidence to answer a clinical question, personal clinical expertise, and patient preferences and values (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2014). The EBP process allows the practitioner to assess research, clinical guidelines, and other information resources based on high quality findings and apply the results to practice.
Source: AMSN, Evidence-Based Practice
The following are the basic key concepts of evidence-based practice:
- Ask a clinical question
- Search the published literature
- Appraise the articles
- Integrate the findings into your practice
- Evaluate the results
- Disseminate (share) your findings
Additional resources for evidence-based practice:
- Evidence-Based Medicine ToolsEBM tools for the five stages of Evidence-Based Medicine, from the University of Oxford
- Evidence-Based Practice Toolkit for NursingFrom Oregon Health & Science University
- Evidence-Based Practice TutorialThis self-guided tutorial from Duke University Medical Center Library provides an introduction to EBP
Research Terminology
The following guides provide glossaries of research terminology with definitions:
- Glossary of Research Terms (University of Southern California)
- Glossary of Key Terms (Colorado State University)
- Glossary of Research Terms (University of Virginia School of Medicine)
Nursing Organizations
The following nursing organizations provide information and support for nursing research:
- Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses
- American Association of Nurse Practitioners
- American Nurses Association (ANA)
- Doctors of Nursing Practice
- Eastern Nursing Research Society
- National Organization of Nurse Practitioner Faculties
- Pennsylvania State Board of Nursing
- Sigma Theta Tau (Nurses' Honor Society)
