WHAT IS EVIDENCE-BASED PRACTICE & WHY SHOULD YOU CARE?

What is it?

Evidence-based Practice (EBP) is as decribed:

Integrating the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient’s unique values and circumstances - Straus, Glasziou, Richardson, & Haynes, 2011

There are 3 main facets that make up EBP (1) :

1. Scientific Research / Evidence - usually from relevant research that has been carried out using sound methodology.

2. Clinical Experience - is a combination of the clinician’s experience, education, and clinical skills.

3. Client Preferences / Values - the client has his/her own personal preferences, concerns, expectations, and values.

Image 1.1 - EBP Diagram

As you can see in image 1.1, the 3 sections overlap, this is because not one singular part should be used in isolation, all 3 should be considered when a practicioner is assessing and deciding on recommendations for the client. Just because the research suggests something doesn't mean it would be applicable or relevant to the individual client in front of them.

Why is this important?

Evidence-Based Practitioners are the cream of the crop, top of the food chain if you will, as they don't just make knee jerk decitions about how to tackle your individual circumstances and unique position jsut to make a few quid!

EBP spend time researching and analysing data, using their experience as a practicioner and your individual likes/dislikes, biology, preferences etc to push you in the direction needed to get the results you came for with some eveidence to back up those decitions and plus, they won't bullshit you about crappy supplements that have zero-evidence to back it up their claims so they can earn 10% commision!

FAKE 'Evidence-Based Practictioners'

Just like anything there are coaches out there that claim to be 'EBP' so here are some ways to spot 'FAKE' ones:

• Are Anti-Science (Sorry guys) Science is a huge part of being EBP

• Cherry pick studies to suit their bias - There is always a mixture of evidence, some coaches will cherry pick studies to suit what they are selling or want you to believe, an EBP considers ALL evidence and makes a conclusion based on the whole picture & the client

• Sell detox tea's, fix your hormones programs and general other BS! - Being Evidence-Based means doing what is right by the client, being adaptable & not being married to one way of doing things!

Conclusion

This may be the first time you have heard about Evidence-Based Practice or maybe you've heard about it before but never really understood it. This is a basic overview, but hopefully you walk away with the question in mind if you are considering hiring a coach or nutritionist - 'Are they Evidence-Based?'

When you invest money into a coach you expect to be considered on an individual basis, using up to date knowledge of what the science says, not just thown into the generalised stock of 'well it worked for me' or 'let's just do this because it's worked for other people' pile, you deserve better than that!

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References:

(1) - Charles Sturt University (https://libguides.csu.edu.au/ebp), (Accessed on 7/11/2022)