Evidence-Based Decision Making as a Tool for Continuous Professional Development in the Medical Radiation Technologies

All components of contemporary health care practice must be supported by the best available evidence in order to maximize the potential for successful patient care. As in other disciplines, researched-based evidence is a major contributor to the development of contemporary clinical practice and decision making in the medical radiation technologies.

However, in recent years a rapid proliferation of clinical studies and journal publications combined with a growing complexity of diagnostic imaging methods has made it difficult for practicing medical radiation technologists (MRT's) to remain current with the relevant clinical research. Because we rely on this clinical research evidence to determine the efficacy and applicability of new diagnostic tests and treatments, it is essential that we possess the skills for the effective procurement and interpretation of the scientific literature. For MRT's, barriers to this task may include lack of training in: defining good clinical questions, the optimal use the bibliographic databases and search engines used in accessing scientific research literature, and the appraisal and integration of acquired research evidence.

Evidence-based decision making (EBDM) is a systematic process that enables the “conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of the current best evidence in making health care decisions.” 1 The development of this approach is derived in large part by the need to manage information overload. Such information is essential to the management of skyrocketing health care costs, ensuring the delivery of best diagnosis and treatment. When combined with clinical skills and judgments, patient values and expectations, the EBDM approach serves to maximize the potential for achieving successful patient care outcomes. Specifically, the implementation of EBDM has been shown to: close the gap between knowledge and practice, decrease variability in practice, and increase the use of best research evidence in practice thereby improving the level of clinical care provided by health care professionals. In this directed study article, we define the EBDM process as it pertains to medical radiation technologies.