The term evidence-based medicine is something that as veterinary nurses and technicians we see and hear in the veterinary media and in the work place more and more frequently, but how does it really effect what we do in our roles in veterinary practice. Evidence-based veterinary medicine (EBVM) is the use of clinical methods and decision making that have been thoroughly tested by properly controlled, peer-reviewed veterinary research. Evidence-based veterinary medicine is the use of best relevant evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise to make the best possible decision about a veterinary patient. The circumstances of each patient, and the circumstances and values of the owner/carer, must also be considered when making an evidence-based decision (Straus et al, 2005).
As veterinary professionals we need to be using EBVM, rather than just ‘doing something’ because we've always done it that way. There, however, may not be any evidence to support why we do things a certain way, it could be a tradition, anecdotal evidence or a recommendation from a respected colleague. There is a lack of methodically performed, rigorous, large-scale clinical studies in veterinary medicine (Dean, 2013). All veterinary professionals are well placed to undertake research within the practice in order to help increase the evidence base that we have for veterinary medicine. This can be in the form of clinical audits, retrospective reviews of cases or looking at population characteristics on your practice management system.
Some veterinary nurses and technicians are already undertaking data collection or participating in research within practice. The importance is that these findings are written up and hopefully published, and therefore shared. This is important even if the results don't find what was originally thought, or if no differences in results were found. This is still an outcome. The more evidence that is collected from the work place the more credibility to the outcomes. This supports that even if a study has been conducted and published, there is no reason not to repeat the same study with the same methodology. It helps to show that the results can be replicated, and actually gives the original study more validity.
‘In general practice, no two situations are ever identical, we are constantly forced to compromise, and juggle competing needs. At the end of each day, we examine our consciences to assess our performance. EBVM provides one yardstick for us to measure up to, whoever we believe we are accountable to’ (Cockcroft et al, 2003) This quote shows us that EBVM is the how we should base our judgements, whether this is how we devise nursing care plans, or what pre-medicant is used within the practice for neutering procedures. Where we find and review the evidence is equally important. Just because something has been printed doesn't mean that it is correct, or that the study has been performed in a good non-biased controlled manner. Veterinary nurses and technicians need to look for evidence in peer reviewed publications, where the peer reviewing process is blind and conducted by experts within that field.
We need to question why we do certain things, how we can improve them or give justification for why we do things the way that we do. Veterinary nurses and technicians in practice need to be involved in the development of the profession, and in helping to expand the evidence base.
We hope you enjoy this issue.