Evidence-Based Medicine and the Hospital Librarian

Abstract

Evidence-based Medicine (EBM) is defined as the integration of clinical expertise, patient values, and the best evidence into the decision-making process for patient care. The full integration of these three components enhances the opportunity for optimal clinical outcomes and quality of life. The practice of EBM involves constructing a well-built clinical question, searching for the most relevant evidence, evaluating that study for validity and applicability to the patient, and then using that information to help make clinical decisions. Using a clinical scenario this article will discuss the steps in the practice of Evidence-based Medicine and outline opportunities for hospital librarians to participate in teaching and providing resources to support EBM.

Key Words:

• Evidence-based Medicine
• hospital libraries
• information retrieval
• electronic resources