Your data on MRCVSonline
The nature of the services provided by Vision Media means that we might obtain certain information about you.
Please read our Data Protection and Privacy Policy for details.

In addition, (with your consent) some parts of our website may store a 'cookie' in your browser for the purposes of
functionality or performance monitoring.
Click here to manage your settings.
EmailIphone Application    Posted: 9th October 2015
If you would like to forward this story on to a friend, simply fill in the form below and click send.
Your friend's email:
Your email:
Your name:
 
 
Send Cancel

What is evidence-based practice and why do we need it?
Andrea Jeffrey
Andrea Jeffery speaking at the BVNA Congress in Telford.
Vets and vet nurses must leave "their silos" and work more closely together

Speaking at the BVNA Congress in Telford, Andrea Jeffery, RVN, from the University of Bristol opened delegates' eyes to the practical application of evidence-based methods.

She said that, in a nutshell, evidence-based practice is finding the best evidence available and identifying the best practice alongside the patient's needs and client preferences. This is essentially an analytical approach to what veterinary nurses do every day of their working lives – the nursing process.

It is important to look at evidence set against a hierarchy that helps to assess its credibility. Carry out searches with care and don't underestimate the value of the RCVS Library and the RCVS Knowledge scheme.

A useful approach to reviewing literature is to imagine that the author is sitting in front of you. Ask them questions about their affiliations, their motivation in writing the paper and their thought processes. If they don't give you the answers to your questions – or in other words, you cannot find the answers in their paper – then view it with circumspection.

Veterinary nurses should never be afraid to challenge current practice in the light of evidence that they may reveal. "Just because we have always done things in a certain way does not mean that we should continue to do so," Andrea said. This is especially important given the registration and professional accountability of RVNs.

During question time at the end of her presentation, the speaker encouraged vets and vet nurses to leave "their silos" and work more closely together. This breaking down of barriers and more collaborative approach must begin in veterinary schools during the training process.

Anyone who missed this lecture, or who would like to find out more about evidence-based practice, is encouraged to contact Andrea at andrea.Jeffery@bristol.ac.uk 

Become a member or log in to add this story to your CPD history

Applications open for MMI research grants

News Story 1
 RCVS' Mind Matters Initiative (MMI) has launched round two of its veterinary mental health research grants.

Researchers have until 11.59pm on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 to apply for a grant for research which reflects MMI's 2025 focus areas.

Only one Impact Grant was awarded last year, and so this year there are two Discovery Grants and one Impact Grants available. Each Discovery Grant is worth £5,000 and the Impact Grant is worth £15,000.

For more information or to apply, email researchgrants@rcvs.org.uk to contact the MMI team.

 

Click here for more...
News Shorts
Germany livestock import ban lifted

The UK government has amended its ban on the import of livestock, meat and dairy products from Germany.

Defra said the decision follows 'rigorous technical assessment' of the measures applied and the current situation. "If the situation changes, we will not hesitate to take necessary action in response to the FMD outbreaks in the European Union to protect our domestic biosecurity," it said.

The ban was implemented in January following an outbreak of foot and mouth disease (FMD) near Berlin. Personal imports of meat, milk and dairy products will remain in place at a country level.