Process Of Evidence-Based Practice

EBP follows a systematic process which minimises the dependence of the client organisation on an area guru and is inherently based on ethical consideration, effectiveness, and honesty/ transparency. It follows judiciousness because the decision to incorporate a piece of evidence into practice is based on sound considerations and prudence. The use of the current best evidence equips the practice and policy decisions that benefit from the most informative lessons that reduce the repeat of test-and-error practice hence making the achievements cumulatively progressive. Since the use of evidence-based practice is transparent, the providers, implementers, consumers, clients and the public have explicit knowledge of the processes and results, hence facilitating the decision making processes, feedback, satisfaction on service delivered and consumed. This maximises the use of resources, improves performance and promotes professional, organisational and financial accountability driving health and socio-economic development to desirable heights and strategic development.

While identifying the gap areas and mechanisms to address those gaps, evidence based practice features some characteristics listed in the following point-wise descriptions:

Main features of evidence-based practice:

• Effective practice with exclusion of ineffective interventions at universal level.
• Efficiency: better use of scarce resources by utilising only proven effective interventions.
• Value for money: by narrowing the gap of research and practice.
• Transparency and accountability of decision-making.
• Empowerment of consumers within research and practice.
• Empowerment of practitioners.
• Evidence-Based Policy and Guidelines
• Enhanced multi-disciplinarity.

Steps involved in Evidence Synthesis:

• Policy and practice needs are converted into answerable questions.
• The evidence most able to answer the questions is efficiently gathered..
• Gathered evidence is critically appraised for its validity, rigour and usefulness.
• The results of the appraisal are used to help make the decision.
• Performance is evaluated.



Methodological approach in evidence-based practice

• Problem-Focused: Health, Social Care & Welfare, Education, Agriculture & Infrastructure Development.
• Analysis: Health, Social Care & Welfare, Education, Agriculture & Infrastructure Development.
• Critical Thinking: Evidence-Based, Nationalistic, Regionalist, Uniform Development.
• Solution Seeking low key head start, simple & steady, careful use of media.
• Evidence-Oriented: subject experts, civil servants, fundraisers, communications, management (from India or international)
• Integration: International as well as domestic

As a holistic approach, evidence-based practice adheres to a hierarchy of the best, current, and available evidence while incorporating client and practitioner values. As a constantly evolving system, it provides a mode of comparison for competing interventions and a set of tools to make informed decisions


By:
Dr. Daud S. Faruquie