Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to clinical practice that incorporates the best evidence from studies and translates this evidence into application to provide the most effective care to patients. Research involves generating new knowledge or confirming existing knowledge based on a theory or belief. While the two share a few similarities, they are different in a number of ways. Discuss the differences between the two, to include comparing the steps in each process, and provide solid examples of how you, as a health care manager, would utilize each.
300-500 words with reference
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Introduction:
As a medical professor, it is important to understand the differences between Evidence-Based Practice and research methods. Evidence-Based Practice and research methods are frequently used in clinical practice to attain the best care possible for patients. Below are the differences between Evidence-Based Practice and research methods and how they can be utilized in health care management.
Differences between Evidence-Based Practice and Research methods:
Evidence-Based Practice in clinical practice is a problem-solving approach that uses the best evidence from research and clinical expertise to provide optimal care to patients. It is a cyclical process that begins with the ask, acquire, appraise, apply, and evaluate the outcomes of evidence in clinical practice. The process starts with a question or problem, finding the best evidence available, assessing the quality of evidence, and applying evidence to clinical practice. The focus is to improve patient outcomes and continuously improve clinical practice by incorporating the best available evidence.
Research, on the other hand, involves generating new knowledge or confirming existing knowledge based on a theory or belief. It is characterized by a systematic design, hypothesis testing, data collection, and data analysis. It is usually conducted to answer questions that have no clear resolution or to confirm existing findings. Research methods are used to establish evidence that informs Evidence-Based Practice. It usually follows the following steps- research question, literature review, hypothesis, methodology, data collection, analysis, conclusion, and dissemination.
As a health care manager, both Evidence-Based Practice and research are crucial in improving patient outcomes and continuously improving clinical practice. Evidence-Based Practice can be utilized to provide optimal care for patients by constantly updating clinical practice in line with current best practices, while research methods can be utilized to generate new findings or confirm existing knowledge, providing a strong foundation for Evidence-Based Practice.
Solid Examples of how to utilize EBP and research:
In a health care facility, EBP can be utilized to reduce healthcare-associated infections (HAI). By adopting an evidence-based hand hygiene protocol, hand hygiene compliance is improved, resulting in a decrease in HAI rates. Research can help us understand the impact of specific hand hygiene techniques on HAI rates. For example, a research study to identify the most effective hand hygiene technique can inform the EBP initiative, leading to an improvement in Hand hygiene compliance, and reducing the chances of HAI.
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Evidence-Based Practice and research methods share a few similarities but are different in several ways. Evidence-based Practice is a problem-solving approach that focuses on providing the most effective care to patients using research evidence, clinical experience, and patient values. Research, on the other hand, involves generating new knowledge or confirming existing knowledge based on a theory or belief. As a health care manager, utilizing EBP in line with current best practices and implementing research findings can result in improved clinical practice and better patient outcomes.
