How to use the ONS Evidence-Based Practice Consultation Program

Examples of research situations in which the evidence-based practice consultation program could be of assistance:

• You have an idea for a practice change and want it to be evidence-based, but don't know where or how to begin.
• You have questions about the EBP process.
• You need guidance on challenges you have faced in implementing EBP.
• You need help in critiquing and synthesizing the evidence.
• You have questions on how to prepare evidence-based presentations or evidence-based publications.

If requesting consultation, be clear on what you wish to achieve and the type of help you need to succeed. The following questions need to be answered prior to seeking consultation:

• What do I need help with, i.e., searching the literature, critiquing and synthesizing the research, developing a practice change project, writing an evidence-based publication?
• Is there a particular clinical area that the consultant should be an expert in?
• What is the anticipated time needed for the consultation, i.e., one time meeting, weekly meetings?

When you have answered these questions, contact the ONS research team (research@ons.org) to arrange for a consultation with an EBP expert. Provide the research team with the answers to the above questions in addition to your educational background/EBP experience and the title of your project, if applicable. The ONS research team will review the request and identify a volunteer EBP expert consultant to work with you. After a match is found, you will be given contact information to communicate with the consultant. The ONS research team will contact you and the consultant approximately one month after the consultation has been arranged. The outcome and satisfaction of the consultation is important to the research team.