Evidence Based Practice Essay
Evidence-based practice (EBP) emerged in the field of medicine during the 1990s and has been extensively integrated into an increasing number of disciplines (Coggan, 2004). EBP relies, first and foremost, on research findings published in the peer-reviewed scientific literature including treatment process and treatment outcome research. EBP of psychological treatments involves the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in each stage of clinical decision-making and service delivery (Sackett, Rosenberg, Gray, Haynes & Richardson, 1996). This requires psychologists to thoughtfully evaluate and apply the best available research in the context of specific client characteristics, cultural backgrounds and treatment preferences to guide the implementation of assessment and intervention practices (Herson & Sturmey, 2012). Thus, EBP involves the integration of the best research evidence, clinical expertise and patient’s values and preferences (Sackett, 2000). Conceptually, the trilateral principles forming the bases for EBP can be represented
…show more content…
through a simple figure (see Figure 1).133 Figure 1. Components of EBP (Sackett, 2000).
The widespread promotion and adoption of EBP is due to its perceived importance in providing the most care that is available, with the aim of improving client outcomes.
As part of providing a professional health care service, it is psychologists’ responsibility to ensure that their practice is informed by the best available evidence. The development of evidence-based reviews, databases and guidelines provides psychologists with evidence-based data and assists them in resolving problems in the clinical setting (Kang, 2015). As the resoning behind clinical decisions becomes more apparent, both psychologists’ professional accountability for health care practice and their claim of being a health professional is reinforced (Hoffmann, Bennett, & Del Mar, 2013). Therefore, EBP plays an important role in facilitating clinical decision-making based on the best evidence and improving competence of
professionals.123
In addition to its importance in health services quality improvement, EBP plays a role in educating clients about healthcare information based on research evidence. As EBP is presented using a radical approach (Trinder, 2008), where the transparency of the process provide the opportunity for both professionals and consumers to participate, access to healthcare knowledge is available to anyone willing to learn the techniques rather than being locally specific due to expertise or funding. Therefore, clients are more aware of health conditions and issues such as intervention options and available tests (Hoffmann, Bennett, & Del Mar, 2013), and they can be genuinely involved in the decision-making processes about their care by judging the treatment they receive according to best practice (Kang, 2015).111
through a simple figure (see Figure 1).133 Figure 1. Components of EBP (Sackett, 2000).
The widespread promotion and adoption of EBP is due to its perceived importance in providing the most care that is available, with the aim of improving client outcomes.
As part of providing a professional health care service, it is psychologists’ responsibility to ensure that their practice is informed by the best available evidence. The development of evidence-based reviews, databases and guidelines provides psychologists with evidence-based data and assists them in resolving problems in the clinical setting (Kang, 2015). As the resoning behind clinical decisions becomes more apparent, both psychologists’ professional accountability for health care practice and their claim of being a health professional is reinforced (Hoffmann, Bennett, & Del Mar, 2013). Therefore, EBP plays an important role in facilitating clinical decision-making based on the best evidence and improving competence of
professionals.123
In addition to its importance in health services quality improvement, EBP plays a role in educating clients about healthcare information based on research evidence. As EBP is presented using a radical approach (Trinder, 2008), where the transparency of the process provide the opportunity for both professionals and consumers to participate, access to healthcare knowledge is available to anyone willing to learn the techniques rather than being locally specific due to expertise or funding. Therefore, clients are more aware of health conditions and issues such as intervention options and available tests (Hoffmann, Bennett, & Del Mar, 2013), and they can be genuinely involved in the decision-making processes about their care by judging the treatment they receive according to best practice (Kang, 2015).111