Tag Archives: evidence-based practice

Eight Tips for Staying Up-To-Date with the Scientific Literature

Ever think about how much you used to read in school? As a registered nurse (RN), you’re working at caring for patients. How much time do you read now? And I mean reading scientific literature so that you can keep up with the rapid changes in medicine and in your

Which Evidence Sources are Acceptable for Evidence-Based Practice?

One main difference between research-based practice and evidence-based practice (EBP) is that EBP may rely on additional forms of evidence besides research findings to answer the question-at-hand. Which evidence sources are acceptable for EBP? In this post, I’ll define evidence, explain the types of evidence sources that are used in

Mind the Research-Practice Gap!

Mind the Gap! That’s a sign you’ll see in the London underground (AKA subway). The point is to watch where you are walking and not misstep into the gap between the train and platform. If you mind the gap, you’ll have a good outcome and get on the train safely.

Three Major Drivers of Scientific Inquiry in Nursing

Why? Why? Why? Why do nursing students need to learn about the research process? Why do nurses conduct research? Why do nurses need to use research? Why is an “inquiring mind” so important?  You might have asked yourself some of these questions as you struggle through your nursing research classes or

Critical Appraisal of Systematic Reviews

In evidence-based practice, an overview of one or more evidence sources is said to be synthesized or summarized. Synthesis evidence is a big help for busy clinicians because the hard work of critical appraisal of each of the included studies is done already! However, the clinician STILL has to critically appraise

Evidence-Based Practice Basics: What is a Systematic Review?

Evidence-based practice relies on the clinician’s understanding of how to search for and retrieve valid and high-level evidence. In the 6S hierarchy of evidence pyramid, synthesis evidence is high-quality evidence that goes a step beyond original research – it is preappraised evidence; a time-saver for busy clinicians. This post will focus

Critical Appraisal of Clinical Practice Guidelines

Evidence-based clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) are summaries of best evidence, ideally from rigorous systematic reviews, which are then delineated as recommendations for practice. CPGs are a big help for busy clinicians – IF the CPG is based on evidence that is reliable and valid!  This post will provide a “How

Evidence-Based Practice Basics: What are Clinical Practice Guidelines?

Clinicians want to make practice decisions based on the best evidence (this is an assumption, of course – but one I’d hope you’d agree with!). Summary evidence includes the regularly updated evidence-based (EB) textbooks and high-quality clinical practice guidelines (CPGs). This post will focus on explaining what a clinical practice guideline is, why

What Does “Critical Appraisal” Mean in Evidence-Based Practice?

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is the deliberate use of the best evidence that is tempered with your clinical expertise and the patient’s preferences and clinical situation. EVERY nurse is responsible for practicing according to the best evidence and research findings – therefore, every nurse needs to understand WHAT EBP is, HOW

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