Applying evidence to develop a medical oncology fall-prevention program.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to clinical practice that integrates the conscientious use of best evidence in combination with a clinician’s expertise and patient preferences and values regarding decisions about patient care (Melnyk & FineoutOverholt, 2005). As depicted in Figure 1, developing an EBP program requires six integral steps. Once a problem is identified and the literature reviewed, clinical judgment and the consideration of patient concerns and values are essential to ensure that the evidence applied is relevant and appropriate. The evidence must be suited to the work setting and patient population; otherwise, the adoption of evidence into practice likely will achieve limited success. Thus, to be successful, an EBP program must become a philosophy of care.