EPA 5

Formulate relevant questions and retrieve evidence to advance care

Description

Identify questions and information resources. Critique the quality of the evidence and assess the applicability to the clinical situation.

The use of evidence-based practices and self-awareness are essential to identify and remedy/correct knowledge gaps. Life-long learning is an essential professional practice to promote quality patient, client and population care.

Aiming for... (success criteria)

To have demonstrated the ability to make evidence-based decisions across a wide range of clinical contexts, relevant to their role.

To have a proven commitment to a continuing process of reflection, analysis and improvement in professional practice for the benefit of the animal/patient and the client/owner.

Required competences

There is the potential for all domains within the 2020 RCVS Day One Competences to be relevant to this EPA, however the key areas involved in performance of this activity/area of practice are as follows;

Veterinary capability

• Clinical reasoning

Professional leadership

• Professionalism

Continuous learning

Further information

The EPA focuses on evidence-based veterinary medicine, looking at wider information resources, and asking you to reflect on the quality of the evidence given and if it is applicable to the clinical situation that you are dealing with.

It is asking you to show that you know when and how to get further evidence or assistance and what questions to ask, and encourages a habit of lifelong learning and reflection.