Choose an Evidence-based Practice | Network of Practice

Choose an Evidence-based Practice

The first step is to identify the problem or need.

Many provider organizations and individual clinicians decide to implement a particular evidence-based practice (EBP), whether because a training exposed them to it, or they feel compelled to “do something” to respond to various pressures from funders and regulators.

Before choosing a particular EBP you should:

  • identify the problem or need
  • identify the current processes that are causing the problem
  • identify the desired outcome after implementing the EBP

Answering these questions will help guide you in choosing the most appropriate EBP for your agency.

The ATTC Change Book lists 6 steps to help choose an EBP

  1. Identify the problem
  2. Organize a team for addressing the problem
  3. Identify the desired outcome
  4. Assess the organization or agency
  5. Assess the specific audience(s) to be targeted
  6. Identify the approach most likely to achieve the desired outcome

Other ideas to help you decide on an appropriate EBP

  1. What approach does research indicate to be effective in addressing the problem? (conduct a literature review in journals, on the Web, with government sources, etc.)
  2. Visit the Network of Practice discussion forum and ask how colleagues in other organizations addressed similar problems? What has been most effective? What approaches have they used?
  3. What do staff members think is an appropriate approach to reach the desired outcome?
  4. Reflecting on the information obtained, what is the desired approach you’ve identified?
  5. What are your reasons for selecting this particular recommended approach?

There are many resources to help you choose an evidence-based practice