Maybe you’ve heard the term. You may even be familiar with the basic definition. Or perhaps your employer frequently mentions using “evidence-based practices” in the office. But maybe you’re still wondering, what is evidence-based medicine (EBM), anyway?
Knowing the definition and understanding how to apply it are both vital, but the latter is what many health professionals need help with. So, whether you’re new to EBM or somewhat familiar, our guide can help you learn more about what it is, how to use it, and why it matters.
What Does “Evidence-Based Medicine” Mean?
EBM is a specific approach to healthcare. Within EBM, a medical professional uses the best available evidence to support care decisions, while considering clinical expertise and patient preferences.
We can break down EBM into three main components:
- Best Evidence: The “best available evidence” includes patient-oriented and clinically relevant perspectives, including the accuracy and safety of treatments and tests.
- Clinical Expertise: Your clinical expertise includes your skills and past experiences, as well as how you use them to inform medical decisions.
- Patient Values: You’ll also need to consider each person’s unique preferences, values, and concerns when making care decisions.
With these focus areas, providers can make accurate diagnoses and develop effective treatment plans.
5 As
You may hear others refer to the “5 As,” which is the EBM process when put into practice. Here’s how it works:
- Assess: First things first, what is it that you’re evaluating? What is the clinical problem?
- Ask: Once you know what to look for, you can ask or develop a clinical question. Consider the patient, possible interventions, comparisons, and the desired outcome.
- Acquire: Now that you have your question, you can use it to search for (or acquire) relevant evidence.
- Appraise: Examine the evidence you’ve found, evaluating it for credibility, relevance to the patient, and potential bias.
- Apply: Use the evidence as it relates to the person’s care while considering your clinical expertise and the person’s preferences.
This process allows you to identify the best available evidence for your patient’s health concerns, needs, and values.
Barriers to EBM
It’s essential to be aware of potential barriers to EBM so you can be mindful of how they may impact your practice. Here are some common issues related to EBM and tips for solving them:
- Tools and technologies: Digital tools often reference broad populations, which may not reflect your patient’s specific needs. As a result, practitioners should adapt the guidelines these tools recommend to each person.
- Biased sources: Be mindful of the sources you use, as they may be influenced by outside entities, whether intentionally or not. To avoid this, consider using pre-appraised resources.
- Unfamiliarity with EBM: Many clinicians are unfamiliar with EBM or its application in practice. Professionals in this position should seek out interactive training and education to gain a deeper understanding of the process.
Pre-Appraised Evidence Sources
Since biased resources and appointment length can be significant issues, pre-appraised databases are popular. That’s because experts have synthesized the available evidence, allowing you to reference it quickly.
According to American Family Physician, some of the most popular pre-appraised sources include:
- Cochrane Collaboration
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force
- DynaMed
- Essential Evidence Plus
Instead of spending appointment time on this research, these resources make it easy to find unbiased and relevant information quickly.
Why Is Evidence-Based Healthcare Important?
Evidence-based practice is crucial to high-quality care, particularly since the field is continually evolving. For example, research is ongoing, with new or improved treatments and therapies discovered frequently.
As such, clinicians have a responsibility to stay current with the latest evidence and best practices in their field of medicine. Some studies have also found that EBM can:
- Improve quality of care
- Increase positive clinical outcomes
- Enhance patient safety
- Reduce healthcare costs
- Improve job satisfaction
To put it plainly, evidence-based medicine is one of the most effective ways to enhance the care you provide, making it an integral skill.
Additionally, staying up-to-date with the latest developments and best practices through continuing medical education (CME) enhances EBM. Browse in-person and virtual seminars today to get started.
