Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Importance and Significance

Running Head: EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 1
Evidence-Based Practice
Name
Date
Lecturer
University

EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE 2
Evidence-Based Practice
Evidence-based practice (EBP) integrates the best evidence available to guide nurses in
their practice with the view of improving the overall patient outcomes (Christenbery, 2018, p.
112). EBP helps the healthcare professionals to address questions regarding human health and
care with a qualitative and quantitative approach (Ellis, 2016, p 15). The PICOT question format
is a scientific formula that was developed to answer researchable questions consistently. At this
point in time, health professionals must not only stick to judiciously following the laid down
policies and procedures without questioning their authenticity and scientific background.
Through the concepts of EBP, clinicians and researchers are able to identify the research and
clinical practice gaps and ask questions that would precipitate appropriate research to get
answers (Dang, 2018), p 45. The concepts of PICOT questions and EBP were emphasized
throughout the course redirecting my interest on their significance to clinical research and
practice. I was able to ask relevant scientific questions and even critique academic journals and
articles objectively as a result of the obtained knowledge and skills from the course.
The EBP is an approach of clinical practice and problem-solving that integrates actual
practice with other administrative issues (Christenbery, 2018, p 113). The goals of the latter are
to enhance a systematic search for the most relevant scientific evidence that would answer
particular clinical questions, to promote the skills that would allow for critical appraisal of
scientific literature, one’s clinical experience as well as patient values and preferences (Melnyk
et al. 2011, p 103). The EBP also allows for the assessment of research and clinical guidelines by
the healthcare professionals on the basis of high quality research findings and also put the same
to practice (Dang, 2018, p 48). The intended learning goals were achieved as we took sessions
and assignments on that involved the critical appraisal of scientific literature and describing the