EPA 5: Using evidence and research in practice

Summary

Formulate relevant questions and retrieve evidence to advance care. 

Description

Identify questions and information resources. Critique the quality of the evidence and assess the applicability to the clinical situation.

The use of evidence-based practices and self-awareness are essential to identify and remedy or correct knowledge gaps. Lifelong learning is an essential professional practice to promote quality patient, client and population care.

Success criteria 

To demonstrate the ability to make evidence-based decisions across a wide range of clinical contexts relevant to your role.

To have a proven commitment to a continuing process of reflection, analysis and improvement in professional practice for the benefit of the animal/patient and the client/owner.

Required competencies

The RCVS Day One Competences encompass a range of domains that may be relevant to this EPA. However, the key areas involved in performing this activity/practice are as follows:

Veterinary capability

• Clinical reasoning

Professional leadership

• Professionalism

Continuous learning

Further information

This EPA focuses on evidence-based veterinary medicine, looking at wider information resources and asking you to reflect on the quality of the evidence given and if it is applicable to the clinical situation you are dealing with.

It is asking you to show that you know when and how to get further evidence or assistance and what questions to ask, and encourages a habit of lifelong learning and reflection.