Putting YOU First – Evidence Based Practice
One of the defining concepts of Central Ohio Spine and Joint is that we are a patient-centered healthcare facility. So what exactly does that mean to us and what should it mean to you? We strive to provide the most outcomes driven, cost effective care possible. A concept surfaced in the early ‘90s that described adding relevant research findings to the clinical decision making process and was termed Evidence Based Practice. That is using what the literature says in determining the how, what and why we treat patients the way we do.
Evidence based Practice or EBP describes how a practice aligns patient care with the best practices available. EBP integrates four key components into the clinical decision making process: patient values, patient circumstances, clinical expertise and relevant clinical research.
Patient Values: We understand each patient that walks through our door has their own personal preference and concerns. Dr. Leonard has worked extremely hard to equip himself with a large, effective skill set. We regularly get patients that request we do not use manipulation as part of their treatment, and we completely respect that and have options for those patients.
Patient Circumstance: The state of the patient is obviously a key competent in the clinical decision making process. We strive to provide individualized care, not a cookie cutter approach. In the rehab world it is common to see patients taken through a “low back” protocol which consist of core exercises and a pat on the back. We take each patients circumstance and condition into consideration when developing a treatment plan.
Clinical Expertise: Clinical expertise includes clinical skills, critical thinking, and proficiency in clinical reasoning. As I am sure you know each condition that walks in the office is different and the demands of the clinical process change. If everyone walked in with the same aliment and they went right along with what the text books says things would be much easier, but unfortunately this is not how it works. Having a solid clinical background is essential in this whole process.
Relevant Research: Clinical research can be broken down into a few different categories that are all equally important. While research is a pillar in our treatment approaches it is not the sole factor in the clinical decision making process.
Guidelines: In management of conditions like low back pain and neck pain researchers have developed guidelines that have been proven to be the effective and should “guide” the treatment proposed. Just like supplements or exercise the term dosage is used is determining the amount of care that will be recommend. Within the last year new research has been released looking at dosage of treatment in regards to low back and neck pain.
Best Practices: A method or treatment approach that has consistently shown to be superior to other options.
Clinical Research: When a certain condition comes into the office we know from a research stand point what combination of treatment is most effective. For example we know for mechanical low back pain the combination of manipulation, manual therapy and exercise is extremely effective based on current research. Again, not every patient that walks in the door has the same body type, healing ability, etc. and thus this where clinical expertise comes in and drives the clinical treatment strategy.
Central Ohio Spine and Joint and Dr. Daniel Leonard are committed to providing the best care possible. Being an evidence based practice is extremely important to us but as you see it takes a combination of all these attributes to make it possible. Reading a few research papers here and there does not equate to being evidence based.
We will continue to be at the cutting edge of research and will continue to put our patients first in order to meet the vision of Central Ohio Spine and Joint: Provide a team of highly trained healthcare professionals determined to meet the needs of the individual.
