Evidence-based Nursing Practice

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) has evolved into an evidence-based practice (EBP) framework that has been embraced by nursing, the social sciences, including psychology, and other allied health professions. This chapter describes the process for implementation of EBP in pediatric and adolescent primary care and mental health practice settings. The standard of practice is for advanced practice registered nurses to continuously raise relevant evidence-based formatted questions, critically appraise and analyze each phase of the evidence-based care management process, and use the best available evidence for each clinical decision to provide care that is scientifically based. Successful implementation of the evidence-based process in clinical practice is dependent on formulating relevant clinical questions, using a format commonly referred to as PICO questions. The chapter identifies national and international EBP resources that are available to improve care for children/adolescents and their families using the best available evidence.