Introduction to evidence-based practice for the health sciences

Apply: putting evidence into practice

Defining a clinical question and acquiring and appraising the research evidence is only part of evidence-based practice. Healthcare professionals must integrate the evidence with their own clinical expertise and patient values to determine the optimal, evidence-based care for an individual patient. 

This is sometimes referred to as the external validity or generalisability of the research results, meaning how well research findings apply to real-world settings (Glasziou et al., 2007). This assessment can occur before or alongside Step 3 of the EBP process (see Appraise: review the evidence).

Key questions you should ask at this point include:

• Is the intervention realistically feasible in my clinical setting?
• What additional resources or support may be needed to apply this evidence?
• Do my patients share characteristics that are similar to those in the study?
• Will the benefits of treatment outweigh any risks or potential harm?
• What are my patient’s values and preferences, and do they align with the recommended intervention?

References

Glasziou, P., Del Mar, C., & Salisbury, J. (2007). Evidence-based practice workbook: Bridging the gap between health care research and practice (2nd ed.). Blackwell Publishing.