An introduction to Evidence-Based Practice for cardiologists: finding, utilising and planning to conduct research to inform practice

What is Evidence Based Practice and Why is it Important?Evidence based practice (EBP) was first described in 1996 in an editorial as ‘the conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence from clinical care research in the management of individual patients, integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research’. A more recent definition highlights the limitations of availability of research in some areas, and also the important role of the patient in decisions about their own care, describing EBP as ‘an approach to decision making in which the clinician uses the best evidence available, in consultation with the patient, to decide upon the option which suits the patient best’.