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Respiratory Care: Introduction to Research: EBP

An Introduction to research practice for respiratory care students.

Definition

David Sackett defined evidence-based medicine as "the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients.

The Center for Evidence-Based Medicine

Evidence-Based Medicine: An Oral History

What is Evidence-Based Practice?

Three colored circles intersecting. They are titled Unique Patient Characteristics, Best Evidence, and Clinical Expertise. Where they intersect the text says EBP.

Evidenced-based practice (EBP) is applying or translating research findings in our daily patient care practices and clinical decision-making.

It is the framework for your clinical decision-making process.

It is the integration of:

  • your knowledge, skills, and past experience (Clinical Expertise);
  • the unique preferences, concerns and expectations of your patient (Patient Characteristics); and
  • valid and clinically relevant research (Best Evidence).

5 A's - Steps for Acquiring Information

Arrows pointed in a circle with the text Assess, Ask, Acquire, Appraise, Apply. Shows the continual cycle of clinical decision making.

When making clinical decisions it's important to consider the 5 A's:

  • Assess: Review the Situation
  • Ask: Define the clinical problem as a question
  • Acquire: Select resources, design a strategy, and search for the answer
  • Appraise: Summarize the evidence yield
  • Apply: Apply the evidence

Learn More EBP

Videos

Colored bars stacked one on top of the other. Labels are Clinical Problem, Define Important Searchable Question, Select Most Likely Resource, Design Search Strategy, Perform Search, Summarize The Evidence, Apply the Evidence

Interactive Tutorials

Articles & Guides