The Evidence-Based Therapy (EBT) Summit

I attended an advocacy event that was organized on 25 th November 2019. The event's name was reflected in the theme, which was the Evidence-Based Therapy (EBT) summit. The event was attended by varied stakeholders in the healthcare sector, including nurse practitioners, doctors, healthcare providers, and student nurses. The advocacy intended to deliberate on the full incorporation of evidence based therapy in healthcare. 

Major Concepts Learned 

New Ideas 

The event provided an avenue for me to be acquainted with some concepts applicable to healthcare. The fundamental objective of the summit was to advocate for the adoption of evidence-based therapy in clinical practice. First, there was a scientific definition of evidence-based treatment. In this case, it implies the application of reasonable, explicit, and conscientious approaches in decision making during care provision for patients. Notably, it revolves around the utilization of scientific evidence for treatment. Secondly, I gained a broader synthesis of Psychotherapy. Approaches in psychotherapy are those that are proven effective, instead of basing on theory. Thirdly, I was familiarized with the Dialectical behavior therapy (DBT), which is a form of EBT. The treatment plan is effective for treating borderline personality disorder patients. I learned the idea of quality assurance as opposed to quality control. In this case, reliance on scientific evidence eliminates possible mistakes or assumptions during treatment. 

Application to Clinical Practice 

In my clinical practice, I will apply the concepts of evidence-based therapy in the diagnosis of patients. On some occasions, patients are subjected to drugs without thorough scrutiny of the symptoms. Medical practitioners who administer medications to patients risk the lives of the patients. It is for the reason that some diseases have closely related symptoms; thus, it is easy to offer wrong prescriptions. In turn, the patient may suffer from adverse events. Therefore, as a healthcare practitioner, I will ensure that any drug prescriptions are based on the lab results. Thus, there will be no doubts during drug administration. 

Implications for Health Policy 

Evidence-based therapy can result in dramatic changes in the healthcare system due to its positive effects. EBT approaches are appropriate to reduce the chance of patient readmissions. When the correct therapy is administered to a patient, they are not susceptible to experience adverse effects. In this case, there is a low probability of readmission for wrong treatments. Hence, the federal government can adopt evidence based reimbursements for all healthcare providers subscribed to both Medicare and Medicaid. Markedly, the quality of service is valued than the number of services offered by providers. The wellbeing of the insured patients will be the determinant for reimbursements. In healthcare, the policy will be detrimental in ensuring safe, secure, and quality of services for patients. Notably, there will be a priority for patient-centered service provision. 

Advocacy Ideas Presented 

The advocacy ideas presented at the summit emphasized the adoption of evidence based practices in healthcare. It was evident that any ancient symptomatic treatment was discouraged and illegalized. It was equated to attempt to kill through administering medications without sufficient information. Therefore, all medical practitioners were warned to cease from traditional approaches to medication. 

Advocacy Ideas after the Event 

While in the course of duty, it appeared to me that a patient with a previous disease history visited the facility. According to past medical history, the patient had been diagnosed and treated without lab results. I made a follow up for lab tests and screening to ascertain the root cause of the illness. After validating the lab results, there was an accurate prescription of drugs. After some follow up via phone, the patient recognized positive recovery from the severe ailment. Therefore, evidence-based approaches to treatment are significant in managing chronic diseases.