Evidence-based OH practice: Part 1

Part 1: an introduction to evidence-based medical practice

Summary:

In the first of a series of articles for Occupational Health at Work, occupational physician Philippa Leighton explains the importance of evidence-based medicine in modern OH practice and examines the challenges it can present where good-quality evidence is not always readily available.

 

Evidence-based medicine (EBM) is a systematic approach to clinical problem solving that integrates the best research evidence with clinical expertise¹. Lord Darzi’s 2008 report High quality care for all highlights the importance of evidence-based practice in healthcare, as a foundation for high-quality care². In occupational medicine (OM), the application of EBM has advanced at a fast pace. However, as a consequence of the speciality’s nuances, there is limited availability of robust speciality-specific evidence, which poses challenges to evidence-based practice³. This article summarises the principles of EBM, explains the importance within occupational health (OH) practice and highlights the …

 

 

Dr Philippa Leighton is an occupational physician at Occhealthnet and Cambridge University Hospitals Trust..

Author: Leighton P

Tags evidence based practice

Occupational Health at Work February/March 2025 (vol. 21/5) pp34-37

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