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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.

Journal Article
A Cluster-Randomized Trial of Getting To Outcomes' Impact on Sexual Health Outcomes in Community-Based Settings
Getting to Outcomes, an implementation support intervention, can strengthen evidence-based teen pregnancy prevention programs.
Dec 5, 2017
Commentary
Can Vaping Help Smokers Quit? The Real Story from a Real Story
Evidence doesn't support using electronic cigarettes to quit smoking. In fact, doing so could even lead to reduced chances of quitting. Evidence does show that other options work, such as nicotine replacement patches or gum combined with counseling strategies.
Nov 16, 2017
Journal Article
Factors Associated with an Evidence-Based Measure of Implementation for the Adolescent Community Reinforcement Approach
This study found two correlates to an evidence-based measure of substance use treatment (A-CRA) implementation.
Nov 1, 2017
Journal Article
Measuring Sustainment of an Evidence Based Treatment for Adolescent Substance Use
Two composite assessments of quality - one with treatment staffing and delivery elements and the other with clinical supervision elements - can be used to measure the sustainment of evidence-based treatment.
Nov 1, 2017
Journal Article
Simulated Effects of Policies to Reduce Diabetes Risk Among Adults With Schizophrenia Receiving Antipsychotics
Policies to promote early diabetes detection among Medicaid patients receiving antipsychotic medication could reduce the rate of diabetes over ten years, but would likely require higher spending.
Sep 28, 2017
Journal Article
Machine Learning Versus Standard Techniques for Updating Searches for Systematic Reviews: A Diagnostic Accuracy Study
Machine-learning methods can help decrease the effort involved in updating searches for systematic reviews.
Aug 1, 2017
Commentary
Anti-Drug Education: Time for a New Bumper Sticker
Effective drug prevention in America could start by helping school districts adopt programs that work. These evidence-based programs can teach children to make wise and responsible decisions about drugs, and they won't break the bank.
Jul 20, 2017
Journal Article
Quality of Care for Work-Associated Carpal Tunnel Syndrome
Over 80 percent of a regional system's occupational clinics adhered to recommended care processes for Carpal tunnel syndrome, and differences in care quality were associated more with clinical factors than patient socioeconomics and demographics.
Jul 18, 2017
Report
Technical Quality and Clinical Acceptability of a Utilization Review Guideline for Occupational Conditions: ODG® Treatment Guidelines by the Work Loss Data Institute
The Official Disability Guidelines (ODG) Medical Treatment Guidelines is a utilization review guideline used in the field of workers' compensation. This report evaluates the ODG's technical quality and clinical acceptability.
Jul 18, 2017
Journal Article
Predicting Evidence-Based Treatment Sustainment: Results from a Longitudinal Study of the Adolescent-Community Reinforcement Approach
Providers' ability to sustain A-CRA programming beyond initial implementation support depended on factors such as the level of implementation success, staff perceptions toward the intervention, funding stability, and community support.
Jul 18, 2017
Multimedia
Getting to Outcomes®: Frameworks for Success for Evidence-Based Programs
In this NREPP Learning Center video, RAND Senior Behavioral Scientist Matthew Chinman and USC Professor of Psychology Abe Wandersman discuss Getting to Outcomes® (GTO). GTO is an implementation framework that can be applied to evidence-based programs.
Jun 12, 2017
Journal Article
The Association Between Implementation Strategy Use and the Uptake of Hepatitis C Treatment in a National Sample
Veterans Health Administration sites that used more ERIC-recommended implementation strategies delivered more evidence-based Hepatitis C treatments.
Jun 6, 2017
Journal Article
Acupuncture for the Treatment of Adults with Posttraumatic Stress Disorder: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
A systematic review found little support for promoting acupuncture as an evidence-based treatment for post-traumatic stress disorder.
May 30, 2017
Journal Article
Validation of New Quality Measures for Transitions Between Sites of Care
New quality measures may improve transition care for children after an emergency department or hospital visit.
May 25, 2017
Journal Article
Physician Breast Cancer Screening Recommendations Following Guideline Changes: Results of a National Survey
Physicians' recommendations for when to start and end breast cancer screening vary, depending on their level of trust with the guideline-issuing organization.
May 23, 2017
Journal Article
Does a Quality Improvement Campaign Accelerate Take-Up of New Evidence? A Ten-State Cluster-Randomized Controlled Trial of the IHI's Project JOINTS
States participating in Project JOINTS, a six-month quality improvement campaign to reduce infection risk after joint replacement surgery, adhered to three new evidence-based practices significantly more than non-participants.
May 23, 2017
Journal Article
Isolation Precautions Use for Multidrug-Resistant Organism Infection in Nursing Homes
To examine factors associated with isolation precaution use in nursing home (NH) residents with multidrug-resistant organism (MDRO) infection.
Mar 28, 2017
Journal Article
Antibiotics Prescribed as Often During Telemedicine Appointments as In-Person Visits
Patients treated for acute respiratory infections by a doctor on a telephone or live video are as likely to be prescribed an antibiotic as those treated in person. However, patients treated virtually are more often prescribed a broad-spectrum antibiotic, which is concerning because overuse of the drugs increases costs and contributes to antibiotic resistance.
Mar 28, 2017
Journal Article
Prescribing of Clozapine and Antipsychotic Polypharmacy for Schizophrenia in a Large Medicaid Program
Analysis of prescribing habits for treatment of schizophrenia suggests that some clinicians may underprescribe clozapine and overprescribe multiple antipsychotics; addressing such inconsistencies with the evidence base could improve care.
Mar 16, 2017
Journal Article
Strategies to Reduce Hospitalizations of Children with Medical Complexity Through Complex Care: Expert Perspectives
Children with medical complexity (CMC) account for disproportionately high hospital use. Researchers developed a structured, reproducible process for the creation of intervention strategies to reduce hospitalizations among CMC.
Mar 14, 2017

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RAND Topic:
Evidence Based Health Practice

Topic Synonyms:
EBP;
Evidence-Based Practice

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Kristie L. Gore

Senior Behavioral Scientist

Kristie Gore is a senior behavioral scientist at the RAND Corporation. She relies on a broad range of research methods to address health policy. The primary focus of Gore’s research is the prevention, measurement, and treatment of behavioral health conditions stemming from trauma. She has…
Marcela Horvitz-Lennon

Senior Physician Policy Researcher

Marcela Horvitz-Lennon is a senior physician scientist at the RAND Corporation and a core faculty member of the Pardee RAND Graduate School. She is also an associate professor of psychiatry (part-time) at Harvard Medical School, a senior scientist at the Health Equity Research Laboratory,…

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