Evidence-Based Practice2023-06-08T13:51:59-06:00

Evidence-Based Practice


“Evidence-based practice” or “evidence-based medicine” involves a process which results in application of the best available evidence to clinical decision-making. All ACSLPA members have a professional and ethical obligation to consistently apply the concept of evidence-based practice to their service delivery decisions.

Guides to Finding Evidence-Based Information2021-11-26T13:31:00-07:00

The following websites provide useful information to assist clinicians in applying the concept of evidence-based practice to their service delivery decisions.

University of Alberta – Acquiring Evidence

Provides numerous links to assist clinicians in applying the concept of evidence-based practice.

University of Alberta Libraries – Communication Sciences and Disorders Resource Page

Provides resources to assist speech-language pathologists and audiologists find evidence-based information.

Center for Evidence-Based Medicine (UK)

Provides Evidence-Based Medicine guides and practical how-to’s for researchers, clinicians, students, and teachers.

Canadian Institutes of Health Research – Introduction to Evidence-Informed Decision Making

Provides modules on the understanding and application of the evidence-informed decision making process.

Databases and Journals2021-11-26T14:17:13-07:00

Evidence Summary Databases

Evidence Summary Databases provide access to systematic reviews and evidence summaries. Information may be pre-appraised for quality.

The following evidence summary databases are available free of charge:

Centre for Reviews and Dissemination – Provides access to a collection of databases including:

    • Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE)
    • NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED)
    • Health Technology Assessments (HTA)

Cochrane Collaboration – Cochrane ReviewsDatabase provides access to abstracts and where available, plain language summaries of Cochrane systematic reviews; links to full-text versions may be available.

Health-Evidence.ca – Provides evidence based studies on public health topics.

speechBITE – Database provides open access to a catalogue of Best Interventions and Treatment Efficacy across the scope of speech-language pathology practice.

TRIP (Turning Research into Practice) Database – Allows health professionals to quickly identify the highest quality evidence for clinical practice; the database provides clinical practice guidelines, meta-analysis, systematic reviews and full articles.

Fees to access the following are applicable; a free trial option is available.

Cochrane Collection Plus – Provides the most comprehensive collection of databases from the Cochrane Library including the following:

    • NHS Economic Evaluation Database (NHS EED)
    • Health Technology Assessments (HTA)
    • Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews (CDSR)
    • Database of Abstracts of Reviews of Effects (DARE)
    • Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials
    • Cochrane Methodology Register

Research Databases

Research databases provide access to research articles on a broad range of subject matter including speech-language pathology and audiology topics.

The following research database is available free of charge:

PubMed – The United States National Library of Medicine database includes over 20 million citations for biomedical literature from MEDLINE, life science journals and online books. Citations may include links to full-text content from PubMed Central and publisher web sites.

Fees to access the following are applicable; a free trial option is available.

Google Scholar – Search the web for peer-reviewed papers, theses, books, etc. from broad areas of research.

The following databases require a subscription

CINAHL  – Comprehensive database of nursing and allied health journals

MEDLINE – Database of biomedical journals

PsycINFO – Database of behavioural and social sciences journal articles, book chapters, books, and dissertations

ScienceDirect – Database of science, technology, and medicine journal articles, book chapters, and open access content

Web of Science – Database of citations from indexed articles in the sciences, social sciences, arts, and humanities


Free Speech-language Pathology and Audiology Related Journals

Canadian Journal of Speech-Language Pathology and Audiology

American Journal of Speech-Language Pathology

Journal of Rehabilitation Medicine – Provides free access to content over one year old.

Journal of Speech, Language and Hearing Research

Other Sources of Clinical Information2021-11-26T14:10:30-07:00

Medline Plus – Provides current information on diseases, conditions and wellness issues.

Research Council of Canada – Provides search function for national science library and ability to order articles for a fee through the Canadian Institute for Scientific and Technical Information.

Canadian Institute for Health Information – Provides information on Canada’s health system and the health of Canadians.

Stroke Engine – Provides current information on stroke rehabilitation and interventions.

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