Which of the following terms best describes the integration of clinical evidence into decision-making?

The term that best describes the integration of clinical evidence into decision-making is evidence-based practice. This approach emphasizes the utilization of the best available research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide healthcare decisions. It involves critically evaluating and applying relevant research findings to improve patient outcomes, ensuring that clinical practices are not based solely on tradition or personal opinion. Evidence-based practice fosters a systematic translation of research into practice, promoting the use of interventions that are supported by the strongest evidence.

In contrast, ethics pertains to the moral principles guiding healthcare decisions, focusing more on values and morality rather than the integration of clinical evidence. Benevolent care emphasizes compassion and kindness in patient treatment but doesn’t specify the use of evidence in clinical decision-making. Clinical judgment refers to the process by which healthcare professionals assess a situation and make decisions, but it can be influenced by biases and experiences rather than being strictly evidence-based. Therefore, while all these concepts are important in the field of healthcare, evidence-based practice specifically highlights the incorporation of research into clinical decision-making, making it the most appropriate choice for this question.