EBP is, at its most simple, making decisions based on existing evidence. This evidence can include experimental studies, quantitative research like patient satisfaction surveys, experience gained from working in a field, and the lived experience of the people impacted by the decisions being made.
Which fields use EBP?
Although evidence based practice is an idea that originated in the health sciences, many other fields have recognized the value in approaching their work in an evidential way.
Outside of the health sciences, EBP is commonly used in psychology, social work, education, and library science.
Any field that makes decisions about which services or treatments people should receive can benefit from following an EBP process in making those decisions.
How can I follow the EBP process?
EBP consists of 6 steps: Ask, Search, Appraise, Integrate, Evaluate, and Publish. Each of these steps is very important, though they're not always followed in a linear order. Be flexible and understand that the research process isn't always a straight line.
For instance, you may realize at the Search step that your research question is missing something and have to Ask a different question.
Or you may realize at the Integrate step that you can't secure funding for what the evidence recommends and have to go back to Search for a modified version of what you were hoping to do that will come in under budget.
Follow the pages in the blue navigation bar to learn more about each step in EBP.
These steps were initially defined by the nursing field. For more information about how each step is used in that context, check out the series of articles on Evidence Based Nursing linked throughout this guide.
