Talk to the Veterans Crisis Line now
An official website of the United States government
Search | Search by Center | Search by Source | Keywords in Title
Parker LE, Ritchie MJ, Owen RR. Balancing Health Care Evidence and Art to Meet Clinical Needs: Policy Makers' Perspectives. Poster session presented at: AcademyHealth Annual Research Meeting; 2009 Jun 30; Chicago, IL.
Rationale, aims and objectives: Although many believe that evidenced-based practice (EBP) has great potential, critics have identified limitations including a focus on randomized clinical trial (RCT) evidence to the exclusion of other evidence types and a disregard for the art of medicine. Others have argued, however, that proper application of EBP involves reasoned consideration of a wide variety of information; thus, the dichotomy between medical science and art may be false. We explore the views of executive-level policy makers from Veterans Health Administration (VHA), a leader in the EBP movement, regarding what constitutes evidence and the relative importance of evidence versus practical needs when determining clinical policy. Method: We conducted 26 semi-structured qualitative interviews and performed a content analysis. Results: Although informants generally believed in the value of EBP and the role of RCTs within it, they also valued other types of evidence. Further, they had concerns that were sometimes antithetical with strict adherence to an evidence-based approach. These included practical concerns, fit with organizational values and with local circumstances, resources, political pressures, and patient needs. They were especially concerned about how to address medical conditions that affect many individuals or high risk populations that have no evidence-based treatment. Conclusion: When possible, health care practice should be evidence-based. When this is not possible, health care providers must turn to the art of medicine by using consensus-based best practices. Further, it is important for policy makers and researchers to work in concert to develop evidence-based practices that are practical and meet needs.
