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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
How to Improve the Way Medical Research Is Applied in Frontline Care
Many people assume that it is enough to present clinicians and managers with the results of medical research for them to adopt those techniques that work best. This is quite untrue. The scale and pace of medical advance poses a continual challenge, and there is often a gap between recommended care and actual care received.
Oct 7, 2013
Brochure
The time is ripe for evidence-based child policy in the EU
This note provides an overview of the reasons for greater demand for evidence-based child policy in Europe, and things to take into account in using evidence-based information in this area.
Aug 21, 2013
Multimedia
Mapping Pathways to HIV Prevention
Molly Morgan Jones, a Research Leader in RAND Europe, discusses how antiretroviral (ARV)-based HIV prevention strategies need to be closely tailored to local contexts and cultures in order to make an impact on new HIV infections globally.
Jun 19, 2013
News Release
New International Report on HIV Prevention Urges Localised Consideration of Antiretroviral Strategies
To make an impact on new HIV infections globally, antiretroviral (ARV)-based HIV prevention strategies need to be closely tailored to local contexts and cultures.
Jun 19, 2013
Report
International Report on HIV Prevention Urges Localised ARV Strategies
To make an impact on new HIV infections globally, antiretroviral (ARV)-based HIV prevention strategies need to be closely tailored to local contexts and cultures.
Jun 19, 2013
Research Brief
Mapping pathways to HIV prevention: Developing evidence-based, people-centred strategies for the use of antiretrovirals
Mapping Pathways is the first integrated, research-driven and community-led project to synthesise scientific evidence and local perspectives about antiretroviral drug-based HIV prevention strategies, in South Africa, India and the United States.
Jun 19, 2013
Journal Article
Options for Effective Mechanisms to Support Evidence-Informed Policymaking in RMNCH in Asia and the Pacific
This RAND Europe report looks at providing timely, reliable and high-quality evidence to inform decision-making to improve women's and children's health.
May 1, 2013
Journal Article
The Top Patient Safety Strategies That Can Be Encouraged for Adoption Now
This paper describes the first phase of a three-phase effort to conduct an evidence-based assessment of patient safety strategies. The paper describes a framework for reviewing existing studies and prospectively evaluating new studies of the implementation of patient safety practices.
Mar 1, 2013
Journal Article
Reducing Quality-of-Care Disparities in Childhood Asthma: La Red De Asma Infantil Intervention in San Juan, Puerto Rico
The objective of this study was to describe our experience in reducing quality-of-care disparities among Puerto Rican children with asthma by adapting 2 existing evidence-based asthma interventions.
Mar 1, 2013
Content
The Southern California Evidence-Based Practice Center
The SC-EPC conducts systematic reviews and technology assessments of all aspects of health care. Sponsored by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality, the center is one of 13 nationwide.
Feb 28, 2013
Journal Article
Shared Decision Making Between Patients and Doctors Will Require Investment by Health Systems
Health care providers are encouraged to implement “shared decision making” in which patients and doctors together choose the treatment that is best for each patient. However, doctors need more instruction on how to engage patients and better information systems to make sure patients know their options and receive individualized care.
Feb 1, 2013
Journal Article
Trajectories of Change in Anxiety Severity and Impairment During and After Treatment with Evidence-Based Treatment for Multiple Anxiety Disorders in Primary Care
This study aimed to identify (1) clusters of participants with similar patterns of change in anxiety severity and impairment (trajectory groups); and (2) characteristics that predict trajectory group membership.
Jan 1, 2013
Research Brief
Providers Influence the Bulk of Health Care Spending in the U.S.
Providers can dramatically improve American health care by focusing on “value” instead of “volume,” eliminating wasteful and inappropriate care, applying the best available evidence to their practices, and enhancing patient safety.
Nov 15, 2012
Report
Dissemination and Adoption of Comparative Effectiveness Research Findings When Findings Challenge Current Practices
An analysis of factors that impede the translation of comparative effectiveness research (CER) into clinical practice and those that facilitate it, based on case studies of five recent CER studies.
Oct 10, 2012
News Release
Changing Financial Incentives, Other Strategies Can Improve Impact of Comparative Effectiveness Studies on Patient Care
Comparative effectiveness research conducted over the past decade has had a limited impact on the way medical care is delivered, but many opportunities exist to help doctors and others in the medical system translate such research into better patient care.
Oct 9, 2012
Journal Article
Lessons Learned from a Quality Improvement Intervention with Homeless Veteran Services
Homeless veterans are a vulnerable population, with high mortality and morbidity rates. Evidence-based practices for homelessness have been challenging to implement.
Aug 1, 2012
Journal Article
Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines: Target Audiences, Identifying Topics for Guidelines, Guideline Group Composition and Functioning and Conflicts of Interest
This study discusses the target audience(s) for guidelines, identifying topics for guidelines, guideline group composition and the processes by which guideline groups function, and managing conflicts of interest in guideline development.
Jul 1, 2012
Journal Article
Developing Clinical Practice Guidelines: Reviewing, Reporting, and Publishing Guidelines ; Updating Guidelines ; and the Emerging Issues of Enhancing Guideline Implementability and Accounting for Comorbid Conditions in Guidelines Development
Clinical practice guidelines are one of the foundations of efforts to improve health care.
Jul 1, 2012
Journal Article
Clinical Practice Guidelines: A Foundation of Efforts to Improve Health Care
Researchers discuss deciding what type of evidence and outcomes to include in guidelines; integrating values into a guideline; incorporating economic considerations; synthesis, grading, and presentation of evidence; and moving from evidence to recommendations.
Jul 1, 2012
Commentary
Promoting Success: Using Data to Inform Decision Making
Many organizations that we have worked with indicate that this approach has helped improve reporting and communication both within and external to their organization, writes Sarah Hunter.
Mar 21, 2012

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RAND Topic:
Evidence Based Health Practice

Topic Synonyms:
EBP;
Evidence-Based Practice

Research conducted by

Researcher Spotlight

Susanne Hempel

Adjunct Behavioral Scientist

Susanne Hempel is an adjunct behavioral scientist 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) and other federal agencies, and she holds an indefinite…
Elizabeth Roth

Associate Director, Research Programming Group

Elizabeth Roth is a research programmer with a broad set of skills, applying quality programming practices to support a variety of research projects. In this field for over 20 years, Roth is primarily a SAS programmer, with experience working with large longitudinal survey data, administrative…

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