Evidence-based practice projects are fundamental in medical practice. This is the reason as to why such projects emanate into results that are statistically significant. A distinction between clinical significance and statistical significance will be discussed in its relation to evidence based projects (Gillani, 2011). The use of clinical significance in supporting positive outcomes in the project will also be highlighted.
Clinical significance refers to that ability displayed by a treatment to enable a patient return to his or healthy state of body functioning. However, it differs from statistical significance in a sense that it is more objective i.e. it determines whether the prescribed treatment was able to achieve the intended purpose (Sedgwick, 2014). Statistical significance, though a determinant that was only used sometimes back is expressed as a variable meaning that it is never exact on whether the treatment recommended is going to restore a patient’s normality. It operates on the principle of probability.
The ultimate aim of the evidence-based practice project is to bring forth positive outcome. Incorporation of clinical significance can prove to be of great help in achieving this. Carrying out a clinical interpretation in the entire research process will be fundamental in ensuring that the patient’s safety, as well as efficacy need, is put into consideration when it comes to decisions made. This will significantly enhance positive outcomes of the research work.
A critical evaluation of the research project by clinicians so as to qualify internal as well as external validity will trigger positive results. The employment of all these aspects of clinical significance will see to it that Evidence-based practice project becomes not only meaningful but also helpful to those seeking medical solutions to their unhealthy conditions.
Gillani, S. (2011). Is statistical significance a relevant tool for assessing clinical significance?. Journal Of Pharmaceutical Negative Results, 2(2), 121. http://dx.doi.org/10.4103/0976-9234.90227
Sedgwick, P. (2014). Clinical significance versus statistical significance. BMJ, 348(mar14 11), g2130-g2130. http://dx.doi.org/10.1136/bmj.g2130