Evidence-based practice: steps towards a better clinical practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a common model for clinical decision-making. The model has its origin in medicine, but today also it relates to speech-language therapy. EBP consists of three (sometimes four) parts: external scientific evidence, client values/perspectives, clinical expertise and in some models context. With this model, clinical decision-making is meant to take place after gathering information or evidence from each of the three parts and taking them into consideration. Based on literature, teaching and clinical experience and available online resources this article aims to describe the background of EBP as well as clinical expertise and client values, but primarily focuses on providing practical advice about searching, finding and appraising the external scientific evidence in order to make this decision-making model in speech-language therapy more accessible for the individual speech-language therapist.