Evidence-Based Practice for the Helping Professions

Evidence-based practice is the habit of treating patients and making decisions based on the best available information and only comes as a result of using good resources and using constant critical thinking skills. Going on instinct or using outdated resources can lead to inefficiency at best and endangerment of patients at worst.

Importance

• The helping professions encompass many different careers in healthcare and education, Evidence-based practice is extremely important in every arena because it leads to better diagnosis and more informed clinical decisions. The Institute of Medicine considers research and evidence-based practice among the core competencies for healthcare professionals, while even those outside of that scope should practice in the most responsible way possible to avoid liability.

Research

• Evidence-based practice uses research to back up decisions.

  The Institute of Medicine says that evidence-based practice uses the best research evidence available, something that is obviously difficult when you consider how much research is published daily. The University of Minnesota estimates that about 7,827 articles are published monthly within the realm of family medicine. Other helping professions like counseling, psychotherapy and teaching all have their own professional journals and resources. To consistently locate the best evidence for a profession, some kind of system is helpful. Finding a resource that compiles the most recent research and subscribing to a few of the top-notch journals in specific fields can help professionals know what their best options are. Aside from looking at journal articles, conferences geared toward continuing education help professionals focus on best practices; some professionals, such as registered dietitians and personal trainers, are required to attend some kind of continuing education periodically to keep their credentials up to date.

Clinical Expertise

• The Institute of Medicine says that having clinical expertise is one vital part of being able to practice responsibly. Whether translating new literature or seeking the answer to a question encountered clinically, being knowledgeable and skilled is a definitive trait for success when practicing evidence-based care. Information may sometimes be controversial or even contradictory, so to sort out what makes sense, practitioners need to have a solid background in their field. Medical doctors need to understand the body and psychotherapists should understand what triggers certain behaviors. Those who are practicing most knowledgeably often have some kind of advanced degree in their field and should pursue the training necessary to increase understanding of their practice.

Understanding Clients

• Effectively assisting clients requires that you understand their needs.

  Reading, translating and applying research is an essential process, but when it comes to effective and sensitive evidence-based care, it is not all that matters. Considering the individual situations of clients is necessary to apply information wisely. Authors of "Evidence Based Practice across the Health Professions" say that each situation should take into consideration the "unique needs, values, preferences, concerns and experiences" of clients. For instance, don't speak too technically to a young patient or insist on the nongeneric medication for someone who will have a lot of difficulty making the increased co-payment.