Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Decision-Making
Evidence Based Practice and Clinical Decision-Making
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EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE AND CLINICAL DECISION-MAKING 2
Nursing practice is a sensitive profession that require the input of theoretical and
clinical expertise to ensure quality and safety of care. Decisions related to patient care must
therefore be based on the available evidence and healthcare provider must ensure that they
use the strongest form of evidence available to support their choice of care or action in form
Burns (2015), EBP is a method used by healthcare professionals to apply science and
critically appraise evidence while providing quality and safe care to their patients. While
evidence is available in most nursing practice area, the quality and strength of this evidence
differ significantly.
When providing care, healthcare providers must ensure that they use the strongest
form of evidence to support their decisions. According to Grove, Gray, and Burns (2015),
EBP provides healthcare providers with scientific evidence and research that support well-
understand this evidence and select the highest level to apply in decision-making. For
instance, randomized controlled trials are evidence in the highest levels, followed by cohort,
case-controls, and observational studies which are followed by clinical expert opinions, and
finally personal experiences. When presented with evidence on diabetes management through
personal experience and randomized controlled trails, it is rational for healthcare providers to
use evidence provided through randomized controlled trails as it is more reliable and based
on extensive sources of data. This choice is only possible if a nurse has a good understanding
Reference
Grove, S. K., Gray, J. R., & Burns, N. (2015). Understanding nursing research: Building an