Publisher's Synopsis
Making Your Practice Evidence Based: In an age where patients become more able to look into their own conditions and question established practice in both primary and secondary care, clinicians are increasingly being challenged as to their evidence. Evidence-based practice is a skill that once understood will serve as a basis for safe and effective clinical practice throughout a clinical career. This clear and concise self-study guide has all the basic knowledge you will want and which will help you to acquire the skills for evidence-base primary care, from understanding what questions to ask or are being answered by the paper in question, to the relevance to a patient during a consultation. What makes it so is the use of principles of active learning. It builds on learners' existing knowledge, prompts reflection, guides readers to discovery of new concepts and reinforces learning through revisiting themes. Each chapter is self-contained and can be read separately for reference and for revision. The chapters come in two sections. The basic section equips the reader to take an evidence-based approach to all aspects of clinical practice. The optional 'Delve Deeper' section has more detail for those who want it or need it. This book will benefit both of those looking to incorporate EBP into their work and those who are studying the subject as part of their curriculum. Another distinctive aspect of this book is the emphasis on the application of evidence. Involving patients in decisions, starting with the conduct of the consultation to communicating evidence, is given special prominence, making the book of immediate practical value. The apprehension that critical appraisal induces in many learners should not materialize here. Those who fear numbers will appreciate the pictorial displays of the mathematics and the "What you need to know to get by" boxes, which summarise essential concepts. Real life examples introduce each chapter to demonstrate the relevance of EBP to everyday practice. The author keeps it real by drawing on material from his own specialty, primary care, but the methods and concepts described here make it a useful resource for personal study for all disciplines or specialties. Learning does not end when you put the book down. There are pointers to several online tools and information sources which you may consult and will find valuable for your work and continuing professional development. But most importantly of all, you should try out your new found skills in daily practice. "It is the book I wish I had had in the beginning of my career and one I will recommend to any one working in clinical practice today"(Veronica Wilkie, 2010).
