In a medical environment, the continued promotion of excellence and improvement is a necessity. As a field that directly deals with human wellness, its professionals are both personally and occupationally invested in promoting the best outcomes for their subjects; with the development in medical research and the constant introduction of new treatment methods, techniques and approaches, the state of healthcare as a profession changes rapidly. In the flow of new information, the use of the evidence-based practice, or EBP, becomes crucial. The ultimate goal of EBP is to ensure that both nurses and doctors are able to help their patients more effectively. By utilizing new data, better ways of promoting public health and wellness can be surmised. Furthermore, less effective or potentially harmful practices can be recognized on a structural level, leading to more positive outcomes for patients.
Medical researchers publish articles in specialized journals, which are then used to guide existing medical practitioners and move the field forward as a whole. Healthcare organizations use a variety of practices to promote better adherence to EBP, centered on cultivating the correct culture within their organizations and training staff. Research has shown that leaders also play a big role in the process, promoting the right attitudes and establishing an EBP-based work environment (Allen et al., 2018). In addition, specialized professionals and training can be used to help healthcare organizations implement evidence-based practice. Investigations into the current competencies of medical professionals alarmingly show that many are unable to implement principles of EBP into their work or lack sufficient knowledge about its importance (Melnyk et al., 2017). For many nurses and doctors, the skills to properly utilize medical data in their work are not present, which is a problem for the profession as a whole.
References
Allen, P., Jacob, R. R., Lakshman, M., Best, L. A., Bass, K., & Brownson, R. C. (2018). Lessons learned in promoting evidence-based public health: Perspectives from managers in State Public Health Departments.Journal of Community Health, 43(5), 856–863. Web.
Melnyk, B. M., Gallagher-Ford, L., Zellefrow, C., Tucker, S., Thomas, B., Sinnott, L. T., & Tan, A. (2017). The first U.S. study on nurses’ evidence-based practice competencies indicates major deficits that threaten healthcare quality, safety, and patient outcomes. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 15(1), 16–25. Web.