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Evidence-Based Practice

What is Evidence-Based Practice?

Evidence Based Practice (EBP) uses the best current research evidence to support clinical decisions in patient health care.

A common model used in education regarding EBP is the EBP pyramid, originally developed by Dartmouth College and Yale University. The pyramid is pictured below.

The Evidence-Based Pyramid depicts a triangular representation of the levels of evidence with the strongest evidence at the top and progressing down through evidence with decreasing strength. At the apex of the pyramid are Systematic Reviews, which are the strongest form of evidence. Under them are lesser strength formats for filtered information including Critically-Appraised Topics (Evidence Synthesis) and Critically-Appraised Individual Articles (Article Synopses). Below that is unfiltered information, the top form being Randomized Controlled Trials. Successive lower levels include Cohort Studies, Case-Controlled Studies, Case Reports and Background Information/Expert Opinion.