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Evidence Based Health Practice

Evidence-based health practice applies the scientific method to use the best available evidence—from physical exams, diagnostic reviews, medical research, and known risks and benefits of treatment options—when making medical decisions. RAND has investigated the impact of adopting evidence-based health practices on patient care and health care policies, and the greater implications of using a national quality measurement and reporting system.

Commentary

Innovations During COVID-19: Silver Lining or Threat to Patient Safety?

Nearly three months after the first cases of COVID-19, we still don't know what works best to treat it. Some of the ideas and innovations are outstanding, but they are, so far, untested. There is an urgent need to evaluate ongoing innovations to learn what works and what doesn't, and what may have costs that are acceptable only under crisis conditions.

Jun 1, 2020
Commentary

The Unintended Consequences of a Proposed Cure for COVID-19

The very discussion of chloroquine and hydroxychloroquine as therapeutic options against COVID-19 has decreased their availability for proven treatments, exacerbated global shortages, fueled a rampant counterfeit drug market in Africa, and worsened trade tensions. What can be done to deal with these unintended consequences?

Apr 29, 2020
Journal Article

Journal Article

Cost Analysis of a Randomized Trial of Getting to Outcomes Implementation Support of CHOICE in Boys and Girls Clubs in Southern California

This study estimates the societal costs of implementing CHOICE, a voluntary after-school alcohol and other drug prevention program for adolescents, in Boys and Girls Clubs across Southern California with and without an implementation support system called Getting To Outcomes.

Mar 11, 2020
Report

Report

Decision-making for investment in early diagnosis interventions for cancer: An interview-based study for Cancer Research UK

RAND Europe sought to better understand how commissioners of healthcare services and Cancer Alliances make decisions about early diagnosis interventions at a local level, with a particular focus on England and Northern Ireland.

Mar 2, 2020
Report

2019 RAND Summer Institute Lecture Series

Video sessions from the 26th Annual RAND Summer Institute, two annual conferences in Santa Monica, California, which addressed critical issues facing our aging population: The Mini-Medical School for Social Scientists on July 8–9, and the Demography, Economics, Psychology, and Epidemiology of Aging conference on July 10–11, 2019.

Dec 9, 2019
Report

Report

The Use of Technology to Augment Clinical Care in Depression and Anxiety Disorders: An Evidence Map

This evidence map provides an overview of the existing research evaluating technology in depression and anxiety care and documents upcoming research to evaluate the role of technology to support clinical care.

Aug 15, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

A Systematic Review in Support of the National Consensus Project Clinical Practice Guidelines for Quality Palliative Care, Fourth Edition

A substantial body of evidence exists to support clinical practice guidelines for quality palliative care but the quality of evidence is limited.

Mar 26, 2019
Report

Report

Evaluation of Technology-Enabled Collaborative Learning and Capacity Building Models: Materials for a Report to Congress

This report examines the quality of evidence for the effectiveness of health care models that connect generalist providers with specialist teams via technology to provide additional training.

Mar 6, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Testing Implementation Support For Evidence-Based Programs in Community Settings: A Replication Cluster-Randomized Trial of Getting To Outcomes

The systematic support provided by Getting to Outcomes can help community organizations implement evidence-based prevention programs with more fidelity.

Feb 5, 2019
Journal Article

Journal Article

Elusive Search for Effective Provider Interventions: A Systematic Review of Provider Interventions to Increase Adherence to Evidence-Based Treatment for Depression

Low quality of evidence and lack of replication of specific intervention strategies across studies limit conclusions that can be drawn from the existing research about the effectiveness of interventions to improve adherence to antidepressant medications.

Dec 20, 2018
News Release

Growing Evidence Supports Best Practices in Palliative Care

A rapidly aging U.S. population with complex care needs will likely accelerate emphasis on palliative care services. A review of palliative care research found substantial evidence to support clinical practice guidelines and was incorporated into the new edition of the guidelines.

Oct 31, 2018
Multimedia

Integrative Health: Moving from Marginal to Mainstream

In this Events @ RAND podcast, some of the nation's leading integrative health experts discuss the path forward for incorporating evidence-based complementary and alternative treatments into standard patient care, medical training, and policymaking.

Sep 20, 2018
Report

Report

Provider Interventions to Increase Uptake of Evidence-Based Treatment for Depression: A Systematic Review

This systematic review synthesizes evidence of health care provider interventions to promote evidence-based treatment of depression across provider groups, care settings, and patient health.

Sep 10, 2018
Infographic

Managing Pain with Alternative Therapies

About 126 million adults report having pain in the past three months. Alternative and integrative therapies, such as acupuncture, mindfulness (meditation), and Tai Chi, may help some individuals manage their pain. This infographic compiles information from hundreds of reviews of the evidence on the effect of these three therapies on different types of pain.

Aug 24, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

The Use of Technology in the Clinical Care of Depression: An Evidence Map

This evidence map provides a broad overview of the existing research evaluating technology in depression care. Computer applications are most common. Almost all applications yield symptom improvement. Further research on these applications is needed.

Aug 22, 2018
Multimedia

2018 RAND Summer Institute Lecture Series

Video sessions from the 25th Annual RAND Summer Institute, held July 9-12, 2018, in Santa Monica, California, which addresses critical issues facing our aging population.

Aug 8, 2018
Commentary

CONSORT-SPI 2018: Announcing an Extension for Randomized Controlled Trials of Social and Psychological Interventions

Complete and transparent reporting of randomized controlled trials is integral for replication, critical appraisal and understanding context. A new extension of the CONSORT Statement aims to improve the reporting of randomized controlled trials of social and psychological interventions.

Aug 2, 2018
Report

Determining the Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization for Chronic Low Back Pain

As part of a larger study, back pain experts discussed and rated the appropriateness of spinal manipulation and mobilization for chronic low back pain. Ratings were higher for mobilization than manipulation, and rates of agreement increased after panelists met to discuss the issues.

Jul 24, 2018
Report

Determining the Appropriateness of Spinal Manipulation and Mobilization for Chronic Neck Pain

As part of a larger study, RAND researchers assessed the appropriateness of spinal manipulation and mobilization for chronic neck pain. Ratings were higher for mobilization than for manipulation, and rates of agreement increased after panelists met to discuss the issues.

Jul 24, 2018
Journal Article

Journal Article

Multilevel and Community-Level Interventions with Native Americans: Challenges and Opportunities

To address health disparities among Native American communities, researchers need to collaborate with community leaders to develop, adapt, and test culturally relevant and sustainable measures and interventions.

Jun 28, 2018

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RAND Topic:
Evidence Based Health Practice

Topic Synonyms:
EBP;
Evidence-Based Practice

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Susanne Hempel

Director, Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center

Susanne Hempel is an affiliated adjunct at the RAND Corporation. She is the director of the Southern California Evidence-based Practice Center (EPC), leading contracts for the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality (AHRQ), the Psychological Health Center of Excellence (PHCoE), and other…
Sonja Marjanovic

Director, Healthcare Innovation, Industry and Policy, RAND Europe

Sonja Marjanovic directs RAND Europe’s portfolio of research in the field of healthcare innovation, industry and policy. Her work provides decision makers with evidence and insights to support innovation and improvement in healthcare systems, and to support the translation of innovation into…

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