Assess
3.1 Benefits of assessing
Assessment of EBVM is evaluating the effectiveness of the EBVM process, or the impact of the implementation of new processes, guidelines or protocols, in clinical practice, for the benefit of veterinarians, clients and patients alike.
The benefits of reflecting on what we are doing and highlighting areas where we can make improvements are far reaching and can range from improved customer satisfaction and patient care, to improved biosecurity practices or financial returns.
The Assess step of EBVM allows us to assess and to uphold professional standards, and offers opportunities to improve the quality and effectiveness of the veterinary services we provide. Assessing also brings benefits beyond improving the quality of patient care including:
- developing a practice philosophy that supports EBVM
- identifying and promoting good practice
- helping to create a culture of quality improvement, within both the practice and the profession
- informing development of local clinical guidelines or protocols (Hewitt-Taylor, 2003)
- providing opportunities for education and training
- can help to identify requirements for further training/CPD (Moore and Klingborg, 2003)
- facilitating better use of practice resources
- helping to improve client communication
- building relationships between practice team members
- providing opportunities for increased job satisfaction
Another important outcome of assessment is the identification of areas where there are deficits in the evidence base, as well as the potential to identify actions we might undertake to help address those deficits.