Practice-based Research in (allied) healthcare

1.5 The five steps of evidence-based practice

(Frequent) evaluation

Formulation of question

Practical application (shared decision making based on three elements)

Development of search strategy

Evaluation of evidence

The cycle of evidence-based practice

Figure 1.3

The individual steps of EBP are covered in greater detail next.

1.5.1

Step 1: Translating a (clinical) problem into an answerable question

To find an answer to a practical problem, you must first clarify the (clinical) problem and then translate it into an answerable question . Such a question may concern various parts of a care programme, e.g. the experience of patients during a connective tissue treatment, diagnostic tests to diagnose periodontal disease (inflammation of the gums) or the effectiveness of lifestyle recommendations to treat the symptoms of dry eyes. The questions can be general in nature, for example: “What physiotherapeutic interventions are possible for people with arthrosis of the knee?” However, they can also concern the care for or treatment of an individual patient. These questions are oftenmore specific in nature and have more context. That means there are often more dilemmas to consider when answering the question. Finding the answer to such a question therefore contributes significantly to improving the care in practice.

31