Understanding evidence-based practice

In Understanding Evidence-Based Practice, we examine the extent to which the UK maternity system relies on solid research and high-quality evidence to inform care practices. While evidence-based practice is a cornerstone of modern healthcare, it is essential to question whether current maternity guidelines and protocols truly reflect the best available research, or if they are shaped by tradition, societal norms, or medicolegal concerns.

This module encourages both practitioners and patients to critically assess maternity guidelines, helping them understand the importance of evidence in supporting safe, effective, and personalised care.

Learning Overview

This module provides a foundation in evaluating the evidence underpinning maternity care practices, examining issues around standard interventions, and exploring the impact of guideline quality on clinical outcomes. Key concepts include understanding evidence grades, recognising the limitations of existing guidelines, and empowering women to make informed decisions based on both evidence and their own preferences.

Learning Outcomes

By the end of this module, you should be able to:

Understand the current evidence base (or lack thereof) in maternity care guidelines and its impact on patient care.
Identify key gaps in evidence quality for standard maternity practices, with examples from UK guidelines.
Evaluate the implications of lower-grade evidence for clinical decision-making in maternity care.
Empower patients to engage with evidence-based information to make informed decisions about their care.
Encourage a practice model that combines high-quality research, patient preferences, and clinical expertise in decision-making.

Module 4 – Understanding evidence-based practice

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