Evidence Based Practice

Question 1

What is evidenced based practice?

Answer 1

an underlying principle of evidence based practice is that when health professional intervene in peoples live, they should ‘know’ they are doing more good than harm

Question 2

Why do we need evidence based healthcare?

Answer 2

• professional duty
• uphold NMC code
• Code 4 themes (PPPP)
• underpin midwifery education standards

Question 3

Medically define ‘evidence based practice’ (Sackett et al)

Answer 3

The conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients. Means to integrate individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systemic research

Question 4

Alternative definition to Sackett et al for ‘evidence based practice’

Answer 4

An approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available, in consultation with the woman, to decide upon the option which suits the woman best (Muir Gray)

Question 5

Why is there a hierarchy of evidence?

Answer 5

• evidence comes in many forms and varies quality

- used to guide consideration of effectiveness of evidence

Question 6

What can be used as evidence?

Answer 6

books, journals, textbooks, websites