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Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) - Quick Study Flashcards

What is EBP?

  • Integration of:
    • Best research evidence
    • Clinical expertise
    • Patient values & context

The 5 A's of EBP

  • 1. Ask – Formulate a clinical question (PICO).
  • 2. Acquire – Search for evidence (databases, grey literature).
  • 3. Appraise – Critically evaluate quality & relevance.
  • 4. Apply – Use findings in practice with client input.
  • 5. Assess – Evaluate outcomes & process.

PICO Framework

  • P: Patient/Problem
  • I: Intervention
  • C: Comparison
  • O: Outcome

Levels of Evidence

  • Traditional model: RCTs & systematic reviews strongest.
  • OCEBM: Level 1 (highest) → Level 5 (lowest).
  • Tomlin Pyramid: Experimental, Descriptive, Qualitative, and Outcomes research equally valued depending on the question.

Research Designs

  • RCTs → Intervention effectiveness
  • Qualitative → Patient experiences/meaning
  • Descriptive → Norms, patterns, associations
  • Systematic reviews/meta-analyses → Synthesize multiple studies
  • Practice-based evidence → Data from real-world service delivery

Critical Appraisal – 3 Key Questions

  • 1. Is the study valid?
  • 2. What are the results? (clinically meaningful?)
  • 3. Are they applicable to my patient/context?

Searching the Literature

  • Databases: PubMed/MEDLINE, CINAHL, Cochrane, OT Search, PEDro.
  • Techniques: Boolean (AND/OR/NOT), truncation (*), MeSH terms.
  • Document: Search log (database, terms, filters, dates).

Barriers to EBP

  • Limited appraisal skills
  • Time constraints
  • Lack of access/resources
  • Institutional/policy restrictions

Knowledge Translation

  • Moving research → practice for real-world impact.

Focus Your Review On

  • 5 A’s
  • PICO
  • Levels of evidence (traditional vs. Tomlin)
  • When to use RCT vs. qualitative study
  • Role of patient preferences
  • Barriers to EBP