There are many barrier to using evidence-based practice (EBP) in healthcare. From the size of the research to organizational barriers, the task of providing relevant and accessible evidence can seem daunting (Haynes & Haines, 1998). One prominent barrier is the lack of time to evaluate the evidence. On the positive side there are ways to alleviate this problem.
First, we can use systematic meta-analysis to help parse the data. Systematic meta-analysis uses resources to get a consensus for a specific resource (Mastrian, McGonigle, Bredemeyer, Androwich, & McKinney, 2016, p. 342). It appraises the information by using statistical methods to combine results. This creates a standard by which to quickly evaluate the importance of a resource for EBP.
Relying on research databases that can also be a great help. The Open Access Initiative had the idea of making library information available to anyone with internet access (Mastrian, McGonigle, Bredemeyer, Androwich, & McKinney, 2016, p. 342). The Cochrane Collaboration has proven to be a valuable resource for evidence based research. It’s been ambitious in creating a library of information and summarizing all randomized controlled trials (Charbonneau, 2005). This can help practitioners hone in on the type of evidence that they need to make timely decisions for EBP.
Secondly is the importance of policies in creating evidence based research. This can help counter the misuse of information to promote self-interested agendas such as when the tobacco industry used techniques to question the link between tobacco and cancer by saying researchers (Panisset, Davis, Newton, Pang, & Andermann, 2016). Trustworthiness is the foundation of evidence. Otherwise, a researcher would have to spend more time trying to figure out what sources are credible.
Lack of time to evaluate evidence is a problem but creating certain standards can help remove the legwork. Having ways to quickly access important and credible information is the first step towards EBP.
References
Charbonneau, D. (2005). The Cochrane Library. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 93(3), 409-410.
Haynes, B., & Haines, A. (1998). Barriers and bridges to evidence based clinical practice. British Medical Journal, 317(7153), 273-276. https://dx.doi.org/10.1136%2Fbmj.317.7153.273
Mastrian, K., McGonigle, D., Bredemeyer, J., Androwich, I., & McKinney, H. (2016). Finding, Understanding, and Applying Research Evidence in Practice. In K. Mastrian & D. McGonigle (Authors), Navigate 2 Advantage Access: Informatics for Health Professionals (Navigate 2 Advantage Access) (pp. 329-347). Burlington, MA: Jones & Bartlett Learning.
Panisset, U., Davis, A., Newton, J., Pang, T., & Andermann, A. (2016). Evidence for Health II: Overcoming barriers to using evidence in policy and practice. Health Research Policy and Systems, 14. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12961-016-0086-3