Does Evidence-Informed Practice Affect the Treatment You Receive?

At Haptic Health and Chiropractic, we employ an evidence based practice. But what does that mean? And how does that affect the type of treatment you receive?
Evidence informed or evidence based practice (EBP) integrates 3 components into a clinical setting:

1 – best available research
2 – clinical experience
3 – patient values and preferences

1 – Best available research

David Sackett is considered the father of this concept. His journey towards this construct began when he was in his residency and turned toward research instead of relying on what was always done. He recommended “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” (Sackett et al., 1996). There is a lot of research out there, however just because a study is performed and published, does not guarantee that it results in “best” evidence. There are different levels of evidence (grades A-D) that need to be taken into account when evaluating research and applying it to clinical settings. (A blog for another day)

2 – Clinical experience

The reality is that often times evidence is limited in quality or quantity, which underscores the importance of clinical experience. EBP includes the “…integration of individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research.” (Sackett et al., 1996)

3 – Patient values and preferences

The final component of EBP is to take into account patient circumstances, preferences, needs, and values: “…even excellent external evidence may be inapplicable to or inappropriate for an individual patient” (Sackett et al., 1996). It is also important for patients to play an active role in their treatment, as it allows them to become empowered and educated in relation to their health and to become their own health advocates.

So what does all of this mean for you and your treatment?

The first section of Haptic Health and Chiropractic’s vision is to “be a positive force for the improvement of health in the community, through individual treatment plans that empower patients to move forward with their health.” Individual treatment plans are developed using best available research, clinical experience, and your own circumstances and preferences. This means that although two patients may have the same condition, each will receive a unique and individual treatment plan. As research, experience, and preferences change and improve with time, you may also find a different individualized treatment plan after coming in the with a condition that you’ve had in the past.

This method of practice is becoming incorporated more and more in healthcare, allowing clinicians and practices to evolve with time and knowledge. David Sackett, the father of evidence based medicine passed away in 2015. Here is a link to an article about his life journey by the Globe and Mail.