Library
Evidence Based Medicine Fast Fact #1
What is EBM?
What is EBM? All the health professions can be described as the art and science of medicine, nursing, etc. Experience provides the "art", while research provides the "science". Both are necessary. One without the other is insufficient because patients have both psychosocial and physical needs. Both must be met for the patient to experience the best possible quality of life.
EBM is an approach that the clinician takes to the practice of health care. The clinician consciously uses research-based evidence to support clinical practice, but not in a rote "cookbook" style.
EBM
is a 5-part process:
1. Convert information needs into focused questions.
2. Search out the best evidence to answer the
question.
3. Critically appraise the evidence for validity
and clinical usefulness.
4. Apply the results in clinical practice.
5. Evaluate performance of the evidence as a
clinical outcome.
From now on, medical fast facts will focus on how to define your information need and find the best sources to research it.
For
more information, consult the USF Library web
site for important EBM sites at http://www.stfrancis.edu/lib/nursing1.htm#ebm,
as we learn more about EBM.
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