Encouraging Best Practice in Residential Aged Care Program: Final Evaluation Report
11.3 - Importance of evidence-based practice
- Key Messages
- Executive Summary
- About This Report
1 - Introduction- 2 - Evidence, Changes in Practice and the EBPRAC Program
- 3 - Program Delivery/Implementation
- 4 - Program Impact
- 5 - Capacity Building
- 6 - Generalisability
- 7 - Sustainability
- 8 - Dissemination
- 9 - Appropriateness
- 10 - Cost Implications for Government and Aged Care Providers
11 - Perceptions of High-Level Stakeholders- 12 - Discussion and Conclusions
- 13 - Recommendations
- References
- Appendices 1 to 6
- Appendices 7 to 12
- Appendices 13 to 17
Responses to a question about the importance of evidence-based practice were overwhelmingly positive but participants were not so clear about the extent to which all aspects of the sector found evidence-based practice important. Some responded that evidence-based practice served as a counter to the ‘fads’ that arise within the sector, where practices are promoted ‘because they sound good’, but without any real evidence base to support the benefits. The majority indicated that there had been a shift towards a greater focus on evidence-based practice over the last decade, in part driven by greater availability of evidence; investment in research and learning by aged care providers (particularly the larger not-for-profit organisations) through partnerships with academic institutions; lobbying by peak interest groups; and through initiatives such as the Aged Care Standards and Accreditation Agency’s Better Practice Conferences and government initiatives such as the EBPRAC program. Only two respondents saw a role for themselves in identifying best practice issues and processes.
A small number of respondents pointed out the importance of having a consumer perspective in the development and application of evidence based practice within aged care. One passionate consumer advocate proposed making better use of consumer peak bodies, as well as ensuring consumer representation on relevant committees or governance arrangements for national or local initiatives.
The aged care providers indicated that evidence-based practice was integral to their service model, reinforced by the development of ‘Better Practice’ programs for staff. However, there was recognition that in some ‘pockets’ within the sector evidence-based practice was considered either too difficult or unnecessary. As one respondent noted:
Time pressure in any clinical setting is really really heavy; … nurses are very pragmatic people; if something is working, and you know it is working, and it is safe, and you know how to monitor it, then to change this is a lot to ask.
There was a sense that for some facilities, being involved in EBPRAC had raised awareness of and commitment to evidence-based practice, while for others involvement built on an existing platform within the organisation.
Top of page