ebP

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach to professional decision making that combines the best available research evidence with practitioner expertise and the values and preferences of those affected by the decision. EBP seeks to improve outcomes by ensuring that choices are informed by current, high-quality information rather than tradition, anecdote, or authority alone. Although the term originated in healthcare, EBP has been adopted across disciplines, including education, psychology, social work, and public health.

In practice, EBP follows a structured, iterative process. Practitioners typically formulate a clear question, often using the PICO framework (Population, Intervention, Comparison, Outcome); search for relevant research and guidelines; critically appraise the validity, relevance, and bias of the evidence; apply the findings in the context of client values, resources, and setting; and evaluate outcomes to inform future decisions.

Evidence is categorized by study design and quality, with systematic reviews and randomized trials commonly ranked higher than observational studies. Yet applicability to individual patients or contexts is essential, and high-quality evidence may be limited in some areas. Professional judgment, client preferences, and local constraints remain integral to EBP.

History and scope: the concept gained prominence in medicine in the 1990s, associated with Sackett, Guyatt, and colleagues, and has since expanded to other professions.

Criticism and limitations include time and resource demands, access to research, and challenges translating evidence into practice. Proponents argue that EBP improves consistency and outcomes when implemented with collaboration and institutional support.