This document provides an introduction to evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing. It discusses the historical aspects of EBP, noting that while research has increasingly influenced nursing since the 1960s, EBP is still a relatively new phenomenon. The document defines EBP as applying scientific evidence from systematic research to clinical decision making to provide quality patient care. It also addresses what constitutes evidence and discusses some of the challenges and debates around EBP, such as how to handle conflicting evidence or situations where patients do not want EBP. Overall, the document emphasizes that health professionals must continually search for, analyze, and apply the best current evidence in their practice through critical thinking.

1. Introduction to Evidence Based
Practice

2. Historical Aspects of
Evidence Based Practice
In Relation to Nursing – fairly recent phenomenon
1925- no mention of research in nursing
1960’s- nursing closing the gap between research
and practice
1970’s- research utilisation – but research
findings in nursing not often recognised- Medics
took the lead with EBP- more research based
journals and books
1998 Evidence Based Nursing Journal first
published

3. Evidence based practice
 Think of a skill you undertake regularly in
your place of work.
 What is the evidence to substantiate your
undertaking of the skill in that particular
way?
 Where did you obtain the evidence?

4. An elephant
is like
a rope
An elephant is like a
snake
An elephant
is like a
tree trunk
An elephant
is like
a spear
An elephant
is soft and
mushy

5. WHAT IS EVIDENCE BASED
PRACTICE?
The term ‘evidence based’ is an
amalgam of science & professional
practice.
Evidence based practice is about
finding, appraising and applying
scientific evidence to the treatment
and management of healthcare.
Its ultimate goal is to support
practitioners in their decision making
to eliminate ineffective,
inappropriate, too expensive and
dangerous practices.

6. What is Evidence Based
Practice?
 “Offers a means to apply theory to practice in a
logical , organised and systematic way to improve the
quality of care and effectively address patients’
needs , health problems and preferences”
Standing, M. (2011) Clinical Judgement and
Decision Making for Nursing Students
Exeter Learning Matters

7. What is evidence?
Evidence derived from a process of
systematic research provides a basis
for belief; it seeks to generate, prove
or disprove a hypothesis; and it makes
evident or demonstrates the basis of
that proof.
Research is an attempt to increase
available knowledge, by discovery of
new facts or relationships through
systematic enquiry: Macleod Clark, J. & Hockey, L.
(1989). Further research for Nursing. London: Scutari.
Basem Al-Omari

8. Evidence based decision making.
 Evidence based practice is based on the
notion of rational decision making.
 Do practitioners make decisions rationally?
 Evidence can enhance clinical judgement: but
it cannot replace it.
 Evidence does not ensure that effective
treatment is carried out well: monitoring is
still required.
 The potential to use a lack or limited amount
of evidence as a way of justifying rationing
decisions is seriously problematic – cost
effectiveness is not the same as cost
consequences!

9. PARADOX
 Some authors think there is no evidence to say that
evidence based practice actually works
 Does it constrain professional decision making and
autonomy?
 Is it a mechanism for rationing resources?

10. What happens when
 Staff ignore evidence?
 What if the patient does not want evidence based
practice?
 Conflicting evidence-example

11. Critical analysis tools
Many websites and internet links have been
provided for you , both within the module
materials and in Blackboard. Different tools
are needed for the differing forms of evidence
and research.

12. SUMMARY
 Reflects the need for health and social care
professionals/practitioners to research their practice
and develop knowledge in ways that are appropriate to
professional practice.
 All health and social care professionals/practitioners
need to become “research literate”

13. CONCLUSION
 Evidence based practice means never being
satisfied that “ I know it all” , continually use
your critical thinking skills and search ,
retrieve , critique , apply and evaluate the
most contemporary evidence to provide
optimum quality patient care
 All practitioners need to consider the
tensions and conflict associated with the
concept of evidence based practice and be
aware of the on-going debates about the
disadvantages and advantages of EBP

14. SUMMARY
 COMBINING
 CRITICAL THINKING
 WITH THE FOLLOWING STUDY ACTIVITIES
 CRITICAL ANALYSIS
 DIRECTED STUDY IN BOTH GROUP WORK AND
THE WORK BOOKS
 PROFESSIONAL AND ACADEMIC READING
ALONGSIDE STUDY OUTSIDE OF CLASS
RESULTS IN
Better Critical Writing AND Ultimately
SUCCESS

15. REFERENCES
 Aveyard, H. and Sharp, P .(2009) A beginners Guide to evidence based practice in health and
social care Open University Press Maidenhead
 Barker,J (2013) Evidence-based Practice for Nurses Second edition Sage London
 Higgs, J . Jones, MA, Loftus,S. Christensen, N. (2008 ) Clinical Reasoning In The Health
Professions Third edition London Elsevier Butterworth Heineman
 Macleod Clark, J. & Hockey, L. (1989). Further research for Nursing. London: Scutari.
 Moule, P. Hek, G. (2011) Making Sense of Research : An introduction for health and social
care practitioners London Sage
 Rolfe G (2006 ) Evidence based Practice in Jasper, m. (2006) Professional Development,
Reflection And Decision Making Blackwell London Chapter 5 page 142
 Standing, M. (2011) Clinical Judgement and Decision Making for Nursing Students Exeter
Learning Matters