Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care. It is a problem-solving approach to clinical practice that integrates a systematic search and critical appraisal of the literature, one’s own clinical experience, and the patient’s preferences and values.

Paraphrased from Sackett, D.L., Rosenberg, W.M., Gray, J.A., Haynes, R.B., & Richardson, W.S. (1996). Evidence based medicine: what it is and what it isn't. British Medical, 312, 71-2.

Critical steps of EBP

1. Ask the clinical question in a format that will yield the most relevant and best evidence.
2. Collect the most relevant and best evidence to answer the clinical questions.
3. Critically evaluate the evidence that has been collected for its validity, relevance, and applicability.
4. Integrate the evidence into practice along with patient’s preferences and values.
5. Evaluate the practice decision.

**The first two steps are covered in this tutorial.