Closing the gap between research and clinical practice.

Evidence-based practice and the application of research findings to practice is a major focus of attention in health care today. The quantification of variations in service delivery and the economic implications of these variations contribute to the pressure on clinicians to provide evidence-based care whenever possible. Awareness of the development of evidence-based practice (EBP), the need for EBP, factors that affect EBP, the methods used to translate research into practice, EBP quality indicators, barriers to EBP, and benefits of EBP will assist clinicians in the effective use of evidence-based information in the care of their patients.