Nursing Experts: Translating the Evidence - Public Health Professionals

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) is a process of life-long, problem-based learning.  EBP is a concept that applies to all of the health sciences.  The process involves:

• Converting information needs into focused questions.
• Efficiently tracking down the best evidence with which to answer the question.
• Critcally appraising the evidence for validity and clinical usefulness.
• Applying the results in clinical practice.
• Evaluating performance of the evidence in clinical application.

There is now an overwhelming amount of new information generated annually, monthly, even weekly.  Health professionals can not be expected to keep current by reading everything that is published. 

Instead, the EBP process teaches professionals how to find the information that they need when they need it.

"The process of systematically finding, appraising, and using contemporaneous clinical and community research findings as the basis for decisions in public health."   [Jenicek M and Stachenko S.  (2003)  'Evidence-based public health, community medicine, preventive medicine.'  Medical Science Monitor: 9(2):p. SR2.]

"Evidence is limited for many public health interventions, yet approaches should be based on the best possible science, be multidisciplinary and center on sound planning and evaluation methods."  [Brownson RC, Baker EA, Leet TL, et.al. (2003) Evidence based public health. New York: Oxford University Press.]

Domains that influence evidence-based decision making. Source: Satterfield, J. M., Spring, B., Brownson, R. C., Mullen, E. J., Newhouse, R. P., Walker, B. B., & Whitlock, E. P. (2009). Toward a transdisciplinary model of evidence-based practice. The Milbank Quarterly, 87(2), 368-390. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1468-0009.2009.00561.x 

According to Jacobs, et al., scholars in the fields of medicine, nursing, psychology, and social work “seem to agree that the evidence-based decision-making process integrates 1) best available research evidence, 2) practitioner expertise and other available resources, and 3) the characteristics, needs, values, and preferences of those who will be affected by the intervention.”

Jacobs JA, Jones E, Gabella BA, Spring B, Brownson RC. (2012). Tools for implementing an evidence-based approach in public health practice. Preventing Chronic Disease 9, 110324. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5888/pcd9.110324

• Higher likelihood of success when decisions are based on evidence rather than historical, political, or other pressures.
• Common indicators of success can be identified and used to evaluate our own projects.
• New knowledge is generated.
• Existing programs can be defended and expanded by providing evidence to support them.
• Evidence can be used to advocate for new programs.

For more information on EBP in general, please see the

Evidence Based Medicine Guide