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Physical Therapy

A helpful Library Guide for Physical Therapy students, faculty, and staff.

Welcome! You have made it to the Physical Therapy program guide! If you have questions or comments, feel free to reach out to me directly, or use any of our Ask-a-Librarian services. 

What is Evidence-based Practice?

A Venn diagram with three circles reading "Clinical judgement," "Scientific Evidence," and "Patient Values & Preferences." Where the three circles overlap says "EBP."


Evidence-based practice, or EBP, is the integration of the best available scientific evidence, clinical judgement, and the patients’ values and preferences related to patient and client management, practice management, and health policy decision-making. The Venn diagram to the right helps illustrate this intersection. 
 

In today’s healthcare environment, it is vital that physical therapists can search the scientific literature for relevant research evidence, critically appraise the evidence, apply study results to patients, and evaluate patient outcomes.

 

“A 21st century clinician who cannot critically read a study is as unprepared as one who cannot take a blood pressure or examine the cardiovascular system.”
Glasziou, P., Burts, A., & Gilbert, R. (2008). Evidence based medicine and the medical curriculum. Bmj: British Medical Journal, 337(7672), 704–705.

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