<unk>  or<unk>  is a method of identifying solid research findings and implementing them in<unk>  practices to further increase the quality of patient care.<unk> /evidence based practice <unk> /EBP) is a<unk>  process that entails reviewing and instilling the most reliable and updated research in patient care.  The goal of<unk>  is to provide the highest quality and most cost efficient<unk>  care possible.<unk>  is a process founded on the collection, interpretation, and integration of valid, important, and applicable patient-reported, clinician-observed, and research-derived evidence. The best available evidence, moderated by patient circumstances and preferences, is applied to improve the quality of clinical judgments." Some define<unk>  as "the synthesis and use of scientific findings from randomized clinical trials only." Others see it as "the use of information from case reports and expert opinion" . <unk>  must use the best research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values. Nurses want to use<unk>  to improve the quality of care and create new and exciting questions to be addressed through the research. <unk>  is not easily achieved and requires a conscious effort to practice and participate. In order to practice<unk>  one must understand the concept of research, know how to accurately evaluate research and decide which research is measurably valid and reliable.
"Registered Nurses are expected to access, appraise, and incorporate research evidence into their professional judgment and decision-making as well as to consider preferences and values of their patient population." Associate degree graduates will demonstrate an awareness of the value or relevance of research in<unk> .  Registered nurses help identify problem areas in<unk>  practice within an established structured format, assist in data-collection activities, and , in conjunction with the professional nurse, appropriately use research findings in practice (Geri LoBiondo-Wood, Judith Haber pg.9) Thus, incorporating EBP into their<unk>  careers. "When enough research evidence is available, it is recommended that the evidence base for practice be based on the research."  EBP is a growing trend in<unk> . As more research is done in a specific area, the research evidence can be used to update and refine guidelines. "As we are exposed to new scientific knowledge, we need to use integrative review of literature, formulation of a new theory, or generate new hypotheses. Use of knowledge in this way is referred to as cognitive application" 1. It is not to be overlooked however, that the<unk>  approach to evidence based practice may differ from the standard medical approach. This is typically due to nurses' commitment to providing holistic care; treating and working with patients rather than working on them.
The difficulties associated with EBP in<unk>  is due to the wide range of meanings and uses associated with the term and the failure to clarify them in the context of a<unk>  discussion. "The science of<unk>  is based on a critical thinking framework, known as the<unk>  process, composed of assessment, diagnosis, outcomes identification, planning, implementation, and evaluation. These steps serve as the foundation of clinical decision-making and are used to provide evidence- based practice." 
Because EBP originated in medicine, the
assumptions associated with it may or may not apply to<unk>  and must be identified and
addressed. Specifically, the assumptions equate practice decisions
with medical interventions and evidence with quantitative
research. Is the definition of EBP--along with these underlying
assumptions--congruent with<unk>  practice?
Prior to adopting EBP in<unk> , clinicians must determine
what constitutes evidence and what an effective<unk> 
intervention is. It is important to distinguish how these
concepts of evidence and intervention differ when applied
in fields other than medicine. Any discussion of the application
of EBP within<unk>  must be accompanied by a clarification
of these terms and consideration of how they fit into
the<unk>  discipline. 

According to Sackett et al', evidence-based
practice is the "conscientious, explicit, and judicious
use of current best evidence in making
decisions about the care of individual patients."
Gibbs- takes this idea further, stating, "Placing
the client's benefits first, evidence-based practitioners
adopt a process of lifelong learning
that involves continually posing specific questions
of direct practical importance to clients,
searching objectively and efficiently for the current
best evidence relative to each question, and
taking appropriate action guided by evidence."
Evidence-based nursing
Family centered care
Evidence based practice
Cross-cultural psychiatry
Medical education
Evidence-based medicine
Health care informatics
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