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The EBP model allows for the appropriate application of current research and best practices and facilitates a culture of care based on evidence. A primary goal of an EBP model is to facilitate critical thinking about the practical application of research findings and mitigate some of the human errors made in decision making regarding treatment. The absence of knowledge and skills related to research evaluation and evidence-informed practice can prevent proper and effective treatment decision making.

The following framework can help to serve as a guide to adopting an EBP process to evaluate treatment options for quality care that assesses both risks and benefits.

• Ask: What is the clinical problem? Has the clinical issue(s) been properly and systematically identified and assessed before treatment is allocated? Is there a combination of clinical problems?
• Attain: Conduct a comprehensive literature review of the proposed treatment, look for systematic reviews, including meta-analysis on the specific treatment for the specific clinical problem. Does this research even exist? Are there peer-reviewed findings that have been replicated successfully by third party reviewers? Have randomized controlled trials been conducted and meet standards for a good trial?
• Appraisal and Validation: Critically appraise the evidence. What is/was the impact of the intervention, including positive and negative outcomes? Assess each source of evidence for its level of overall credibility and risk/benefit evaluation. Does potential bias exist for the person/entity promoting the treatment? Is the treatment being promoted before appropriate research has been conducted to evaluate potential harm?
• Application/Use: Decide to use if the research on the proposed treatment meets quality standards for the specific clinical issue: findings are substantiated with quality peer review, replication by outside entities and meta-analyses have been conducted and an informed decision can be made regarding both risk(s) and benefit(s). Delay use if more research is required. Reject or not use (no further consideration) if evidence already exists that the proposed treatment is not intended for the clinical issue and could lead to potential harm or delay with appropriate treatment.

To assist with the evaluation of research, Cochrane https://www.cochrane.org is for anyone interested in using high-quality information and relevant and up-to-date synthesized research evidence to make health decisions. Whether you are a doctor or nurse, patient or caregiver, researcher or funder, Cochrane evidence provides a powerful tool to enhance your healthcare knowledge and decision making. Cochrane produces high-quality literature reviews using systematic methods which are called systematic reviews. Cochrane is an international network of researchers that perform systematic reviews of the evidence and the overall objective is to ensure that the treatments we use are based on the best possible knowledge which is independently assessed and quality checked. Cochrane is a not for profit organization and only collaborates with organizations that are free from commercial interests. 

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