Improving evidence-based medicine in dietetics: a non-traditional approach According to Sackett (1996) evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care. Straus, Richardson, Glasziou, and Haynes (2005, p. 1) described evidence-based practice (EBP) as “the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's unique values and circumstances.” According to Straus et al, (2005, p.3) those who practice evidence-based medicine must follow five specific steps: a) Include the need for data in an answerable question, b) Track down the best evidence, c) Critically evaluate the evidence for validity, impact and application, d) Integrate critical evaluation into clinical practice, and e) Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing steps a and- and seek ways to improve them. Consequently, without the best current evidence, clinical practice could become obsolete to the detriment of patients, this is an unsustainable circumstance and should never be allowed to occur. Evidence-based medicine allows doctors to offer patients the best care that current science offers. can afford. Strauss et al., suggest that the three components of EBP are best scientific evidence, clinical experience and patient/client values (Strauss, et al., 2005). All clinicians should strive to include all three components in the care they provide to patients. Dietitians are key members of the clinical team, and more than 70,000 dietitians work every day in the United States (American Dietetic Association, 2010). Dietitians implement medical nutrition therapy (MNT) which the American Dietetic Association (ADA) defines as an essential component of comprehensive therapy...... half of the document ......nal of the American Dietetic Association.105 (10) . 1574-1581. Frieden, T. R. (2010). A framework for public health action: The health impact pyramid. American Journal of Public Health. 100(4). 590-595. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.185652 Gable, J. (2008). Implementing useful interventions, in consultancy skills for dietitians, (2nd edition). Oxford, UK. :Blackwell Publishing Ltd. doi: 10.1002/9780470775134Sackett, D.L., Rosenberg, W.M.C., Muir Gray, J.A., Haynes, R.B., & Richardson, W.S. (1996). Evidence-based medicine: what it is and what it is not. (Editorial). British Medical Journal. 313: 71. Straus, S.E., Richardson, W, S., Glasziou, P., & Haynes, R.B. (2005), Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM. (4th edition). New York: Elsevier. World Health Organization. (2011). The determinants of health. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/

Topic > Improving evidence-based medicine in dietetics: a non-traditional approach According to Sackett (1996) evidence-based medicine is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care. Straus, Richardson, Glasziou, and Haynes (2005, p. 1) described evidence-based practice (EBP) as “the integration of the best research evidence with clinical expertise and the patient's unique values and circumstances.” According to Straus et al, (2005, p.3) those who practice evidence-based medicine must follow five specific steps: a) Include the need for data in an answerable question, b) Track down the best evidence, c) Critically evaluate the evidence for validity, impact and application, d) Integrate critical evaluation into clinical practice, and e) Evaluate the effectiveness and efficiency of implementing steps a and- and seek ways to improve them. Consequently, without the best current evidence, clinical practice could become obsolete to the detriment of patients, this is an unsustainable circumstance and should never be allowed to occur. Evidence-based medicine allows doctors to offer patients the best care that current science offers. can afford. Strauss et al., suggest that the three components of EBP are best scientific evidence, clinical experience and patient/client values (Strauss, et al., 2005). All clinicians should strive to include all three components in the care they provide to patients. Dietitians are key members of the clinical team, and more than 70,000 dietitians work every day in the United States (American Dietetic Association, 2010). Dietitians implement medical nutrition therapy (MNT) which the American Dietetic Association (ADA) defines as an essential component of comprehensive therapy...... half of the document ......nal of the American Dietetic Association.105 (10) . 1574-1581. Frieden, T. R. (2010). A framework for public health action: The health impact pyramid. American Journal of Public Health. 100(4). 590-595. doi: 10.2105/AJPH.2009.185652 Gable, J. (2008). Implementing useful interventions, in consultancy skills for dietitians, (2nd edition). Oxford, UK. :Blackwell Publishing Ltd. doi: 10.1002/9780470775134Sackett, D.L., Rosenberg, W.M.C., Muir Gray, J.A., Haynes, R.B., & Richardson, W.S. (1996). Evidence-based medicine: what it is and what it is not. (Editorial). British Medical Journal. 313: 71. Straus, S.E., Richardson, W, S., Glasziou, P., & Haynes, R.B. (2005), Evidence-based medicine: how to practice and teach EBM. (4th edition). New York: Elsevier. World Health Organization. (2011). The determinants of health. Retrieved from http://www.who.int/hia/evidence/doh/en/