Make evidence-based nursing part of everyday life
When we read articles, we need to be reassured of their quality and the integrity of their content.
"We should focus on becoming nurses who question practice rather than just doing it," said Sue Badger speaking on the subject of evidence-based veterinary nursing at the Equine Session at BVNA Congress in Telford.
"Our aim should be to base our everyday decisions on the explicit and judicious use of current evidence, in combination with the best available experiential evidence, to support the best care of our patients," she suggested.
Some of the evidence will be based on tradition, some on our experience and some on published research. This alone is not enough, however, because we need to challenge the status quo and to reflect on what we do – to be analytical and, if necessary, modify our approach.
It is important not to keep our findings and analysis to ourselves; because evidence-based nursing relies to a great extent on sharing the information that we have discovered or accumulated during everyday practice.
When we read articles, we need to be reassured of their quality and the integrity of their content. This is best achieved by reading peer-reviewed journals and accessing accredited websites and library facilities on the internet. In this latter respect, Sue recommended the RCVS Knowledge site as an excellent point from which to begin, https://knowledge.rcvs.org.uk/home
Two independent vets have launched a podcast to help owners strengthen their bond with pets. Dr Maggie Roberts and Dr Vanessa Howie, who have worked in both veterinary practice and major charities, are keen to use their experience to enable people to give pets a better life.
