The most common definition of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is from Dr. David Sackett. EBP is “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research” (Sackett D, 1996). EBP is the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best research evidence into the decision making process for patient care. Clinical expertise refers to the clinician’s cumulated experience, education and clinical skills. The patient brings to the encounter his or her own personal preferences and unique concerns, expectations, and values. The best research evidence is usually found in clinically relevant research that has been conducted using sound methodology (Sackett D, 2002).
This page features a selected list of evidence based databases, clinical summary tools, guidelines, and clinical trials resources that are suggested as starting points in the application of evidence based practice.
To learn more about evidence based practice see the Evidence Based Medicine Guide created by UAMS Library staff and based on the EBM Bootcamp materials provided by Debra Fiser, M.D., former Director of the Center for Evidence Based Medicine at UAMS.
Cochrane (OVID)
Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, and Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects.
TRIP (Turning Research Into Practice) Database
Simultaneously search for systematic reviews, practice guidelines, medical image databases, e-textbooks, etc.
CINAHL Complete -- Evidence-Based Care Sheets
Index of over 4,300 journals from the fields of nursing and allied health, with indexing back to 1937. Searchable cited references for more than 1,500 journals. Full text for over 1400 journals, plus legal cases, critical paths, research instruments and clinical trials.
Clinical Key - First Consult (mobile access available)
Medical search engine that searches for information contained in more than 1100 ebooks and 650 journals. Enter your search term and check First Consult box on the left.
Essential Evidence Plus
Evidence-based, point-of-care clinical decision support system that gives you access to over 13,000 topics, guidelines, abstracts, and summaries.
UpToDate (mobile app available)
Concise topic reviews of published evidence with recommendations for patient care. Features over 10,000 topics in over 22 specialties and can be narrowed to pediatric or adult topics.
The National Guidelines Clearinghouse is no longer available. Clinical practice guidelines can be found through the PubMed or CINAHL databases.
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