Evidence Based Practice in a Clinical Setting Essay

Evidence Based Practice in a Clinical Setting - Essay Example The evidence-based practice paradigm combines clinical expertise, patient preferences, and values, the surrounding clinical circumstances with the integration of the best scientific evidence (Salmond, 2007). The purpose of this paper is to apply evidence-based practice to the case of a patient and develop an effective patient care plan In order to apply evidence-based practice effectively there is a need for a critical evaluation of the patient’s health condition. It is also equally important that a thorough research is conducted by the health care provider (physician/nurse) in order to generate information that relates to best evidence practice (Bennett, & John, 2000). The research in most cases is conducted in absence of already established guidelines that are grounded on previous research and are used for purposes of integrating evidence-based practice into everyday clinical practice. It is this information that will be integrated with the clinician’s expertise, pati ent preferences and values and the surrounding circumstances to develop a patient care plan that will optimize the outcomes and result in delivery of quality healthcare service (Schulman, 2008). Patient Profile The patient, in this case, is a 51-year-old male computer programmer who is mildly obese. Patient has a history of smoking and has been trying to quit for over 30 years. He has tried using nicotine patches to help him quit smoking but was unsuccessful. The patient is reluctant to use Bupropion because he holds certain reservations against that particular group of drugs (antidepressants). No diabetic complications with controlled blood sugar levels. Patient has osteoarthritis on both knees which harbor sporting injuries. The blood pressure according to the past two visits is mildly elevated (160/94 mmHg). The patient takes large doses of Vitamin E and Fish oil for his heart and glucosamine for his knees. The patient takes St. Johns Wort to assist him to stop smoking. Research It is of primary importance that the patient’s treatment goals be identified. The goals offer guidance on which areas need research promptly. The treatment goals for the patient include solving the patient’s smoking problem, understanding the patient’s mild hypertension and possible therapy, managing the obesity, and determining the best therapeutic approach that can be used to treat the patient’s osteoarthritis. The patient has a history of smoking that spans over 30years. Such a patient can be considered to be a heavy smoker. Many smokers have been associated with several failed attempts to quit smoking. This particular patient has tried the use of nicotine patches to assist him to quit smoking but was unsuccessful. According to Stead, Perera, Bullen, Mant, and Lancaster (2008), the single purpose of nicotine replacement therapy is to ease the transition from smoking cigarettes to complete abstinence from smoking. The nicotine temporarily replaces the n icotine from cigarettes thereby reducing the motivation to smoke and the overall withdrawal symptoms that are associated with abstinence from smoking.