Question

Briefly explain the purpose and process of appraising research evidence for EBP.

Answer 1

It allows clinicians to use research evidence reliably and efficiently. Critical appraisal is intended to enhance the healthcare professional's skill to determine whether the research evidence is true (free of bias) and relevant to their patients.

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) or evidence based practice (EBP), is the judicious use of the best current evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. EBP also integrates clinical expertise and takes patient desires, values, and needs into consideration.

Evidence-based practice consists of five steps:

1. Ask a searchable clinical question;
2. Find the best evidence to answer the question;
3. Appraise the evidence;
4. Apply the evidence with clinical expertise, taking the patient's wants/needs into consideration;
5. Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of the process.

process involves:

• Converting information needs into focused questions.
• Efficiently tracking down the best evidence with which to answer the question.
• Critcally appraising the evidence for validity and clinical usefulness.
• Applying the results in clinical practice.
• Evaluating performance of the evidence in clinical application

Critical appraisal is the process of carefully and systematically assessing the outcome of scientific research (evidence) to judge its trustworthiness,

initial appraisal questions you could ask are:

1. Is the evidence from a known, reputable source?

2. Has the evidence been evaluated in any way? If so, how and by whom?

3. How up-to-date is the evidence?

the study itself and ask the following general appraisal questions:

1. How was the outcome measured?

2. Is that a reliable way to measure?

3. How large was the effect size?

4. What implications does the study have for your practice? Is it relevant?

5. Can the results be applied to your organization?