Evidence Based Concepts

3.  Critically appraising the evidence for its validity and usefulness (clinical applicability)
Once you have found the most current evidence, the next step in the EBDM process is to understand what you have and its relevance to your patient and the PICO question.  One resource available to critically appraise papers consists of a worksheet with a structured series of questions that can help you determine the strengths and weaknesses of how a study was conducted and how useful and applicable the evidence is to the specific patient problem or question being asked.¹⁵ This will be discussed more fully in a subsequent article.

4.  Applying the results of the appraisal, or evidence, in clinical practice; and
5.  Evaluating the process and your performance
There are numerous ways EBDM can be incorporated into practical clinical situations.  Using the EB process, you and/or your staff can be current with practice guidelines, statements and policies, support clinical decisions, answer patient questions, and explore alternative treatments, procedures, or materials.  With an understanding of how to effectively use EBDM, practitioners can quickly and conveniently stay current with scientific findings on topics that are important to them and their patients.

Click Here To Navigate Within Article >> Abstract Introduction Evidence Based Concepts Evidence-Based Decision-Making in Action Applying the PICO Process Structuring the PICO Question Conducting an Evidence-based Search Secondary Sources of Evidence Practice Tips Conclusions References About the Authors
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Citation Number: Vol. 3, No. 3, Page 013