Strengthening Knowledge of EBP
Evidence-based practice (EBP) as an approach focuses on the specification of the ways professionals and other decision-makers can make decisions through the identification of evidence that may exist for a practice and rating the evidence based on how scientifically acceptable it may be. The primary goals of EBP is the elimination of risky, unsound, or unacceptable practices in various professional contexts while replacing these with practices with better outcomes. Organizations’ use of EBP is evident in how they emphasise the education of professionals on the need to understand and apply findings of research, ensuring access to research summaries, as well as careful summary of research. The bottom line in EBP is that professionals and decision-makers must pay specific attention to evidence from research to inform their decision-making processes. The application of EBP is aimed at ensuring that professional use the most appropriate information that is available.
The notion of EBP began in the health care field but has gradually spread to other allied health professions, the field of education, and others. EBP in education is all about the use of effective educational strategies that are anchored on evidence and research (Thomas & Pring, 2004). Using evidence and research to support educational strategies boosts the confidence of the teacher thus resulting in better outcomes for the learner. The University of Massachusetts Medical School (UMASS) is one of the educational institutions in the U.S. that emphasise the use of EBP in decision-making processes in the education field. UMASS’s website https://www.umassmed.edu/ contributes to knowledge of EBP by giving insight into how research is one of the key areas for the institution. The website indicates that UMass Medical School has the medical world’s preeminent researchers. The institution works closely with the researchers in the identification and development of solutions to various problems in the medical world. Through research, UMass Medical School looks forward to creating a better future for all. The institution in collaboration with researchers is involved in neurobiology research, research in how lifestyle and genetics influence health, research in medicine, research in gene therapy strategies for Huntington’s Disease, as well as research in retinal degenerative diseases. The institution’s decisions as far as the provision of care is concerned revolve around evidence obtained through research in the mentioned fields. Thus, the website’s information contributes to the knowledge of EBP through emphasis that research and evidence are fundamental aspects in the use and application of EBP in institutions.
The above information could have a significant influence on the use of EBP in clinical practice as emphasis will be placed on research and evidence before making crucial health-related decisions. With this information, the provision of any treatment or care to patients could be dependent on available research and evidence on what is the acceptable medication or care to be provided. This information means that professionals in clinical practice will have to rely on evidence obtained through research rather than mere clinical knowledge when making clinical decisions. For instance, in making decisions on the changes a patient ought to make from lifestyle perspective, care providers will have to rely on evidence and research in this area. UMass’s research on how lifestyle and genetics influence health could prove pivotal in such a situation. Also, UMass Medical School’s research in medicine could be important when it comes to the determination of the best medicine for every patient’s health situation in clinical practice.
References
Thomas, G., & Pring, R. (2004). Evidence-based practice in education. Maidenhead: Open University Press. Retrieved from https://zodml.org/sites/default/files/%5BRichard_Pring%2C_Gary_Thomas%5D_Evidence-based_Practi_0.pdf
University of Massachusetts Medical School. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.umassmed.edu/