An introduction to evidence-based practice for hand surgeons and therapists.

Abstract

Evidence-based practice is a methodical approach to clinical practice where experience, best research evidence, and patient goals and values are integrated to make optimal decisions when making a diagnosis, selecting a diagnostic test, picking an intervention or determining prognosis. There are five steps in this process. Hand surgeons and therapists can use the evidence-based process to attain optimal management of individual patients, manage their overall practice, guide the ongoing professional development, and deal with funding and policy makers.