*By Allan Conti
The ability to rapidly and seamlessly integrate Evidence-Based Medicine (EBM) into patient care has become essential for healthcare leaders, clinicians, and researchers who are challenged to ensure that the latest research and clinical guidelines are effectively applied within their organizations. With advancing technologies and an increased focus on improving the quality of care, the landscape of medical research and EBM is rapidly evolving around the world.
However, in Brazil, the population's satisfaction with the country's general health is a worrying factor. study conducted in 2022 by PoderData, at the request of the National Association of Private Hospitals (ANAHP), indicates that 43% of those interviewed consider it bad or terrible, while only 9% evaluate it as good or excellent. In view of this, the adoption of strategies aimed at improving the quality of care is essential to reverse this situation.
According to one search conducted in 2024 by ANAHP, in partnership with Wolters Kluwer, for 97.8% of the participants, having access to evidence-based clinical knowledge bases is very or extremely relevant for patient safety. In this sense, improving and expanding the integration of EBM into clinical practices, through technological solutions, becomes a viable option for solving this challenge.
Use of evidence in clinical decisions
EBM is defined as the conscious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care. This process involves integrating individual physician expertise with external clinical information obtained through systematic research.
In healthcare, EBM is essential to improve patient outcomes and quality of care, as well as optimize clinical decision-making. However, despite its importance, there are obstacles that hinder its effective implementation in healthcare organizations.
One such challenge is the lack of access to quality research. Healthcare professionals are not always able to access the latest research findings, which limits their ability to base clinical decisions on solid evidence. Added to this is the time constraints that clinicians often face, which makes it difficult to stay up to date on the latest evidence.
Cultural and organizational resistance, a common characteristic in times of major changes in the workplace, can also interfere with the adoption of new practices, even when evidence supports them. In addition, the lack of formal training in EBM for health professionals also affects the implementation of effective actions in patient care, which makes a critical evaluation to apply research results challenging.
Overcoming barriers with technology and leadership
Health technology and innovative leadership strategies are essential to overcome these barriers. Investment in clinical decision support tools can integrate evidence directly into patient care processes, providing clinicians with real-time access to research and guidelines.
Programs of training based on “cohorts”, in which groups of people with common professional experiences on a given topic come together for studies, are also important allies for the dissemination of knowledge to health teams, as they promote collaboration and practical learning, encouraging the application of EBM in clinical environments.
Combining these actions with a systematic and continuous approach to implementing evidence, that is, putting research into practice, ensures that changes become part of the standard operating procedures within health services, rather than being one-off interventions.
Benefits for service
One of the benefits of integrating practices with the latest research and clinical support tools is improved patient safety and outcomes. By having access to the best available evidence, physicians can make informed and personalized decisions according to the particularities of each case, which improves patient care and, consequently, the evaluation of medical services.
EBM is not just a buzzword in healthcare. It is a critical component of delivering high-quality healthcare. By bridging the gap between research and practice, healthcare organizations can ensure that healthcare professionals have the tools and resources they need to provide the best possible care, whether in daily life or in times of emergency, while also increasing patient satisfaction.
*Allan Conti is Commercial Director of Wolters Kluwer Health in Brazil.
Notice: The opinion presented in this article is the responsibility of its author and not of ABES - Brazilian Association of Software Companies
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