What is evidence-based practice?

The critical application of evidence to practice is essential to the role of any professional. For healthcare professionals seeking to provide care that will deliver the best possible outcomes for patients, it is especially important to be able to assess current evidence to guide clinical decision-making. Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become synonymous with the move within healthcare organisations to shift away from a culture of authority-based practice, where decisions are based on opinion, past practice and ritual, towards a culture where healthcare decisions are based on the best available evidence. This chapter will briefly outline the history of EBP, what is meant by evidence and where to find it. It will also cover the importance of critically appraising evidence before it is incorporated into practice. Finally, the importance of evaluating any changes to clinical practice is highlighted.