IN THIS LESSON

For this objective, you will apply evidence-based knowledge through contemporary strategies, policies, and relevant literature to implement best practices.

EVIDENCE-BASED KNOWLEDGE

Communities lead community development projects; however, it is important that healthcare workers supporting these efforts use the best available evidence. Evidence-based knowledge supports the combination of the best available knowledge, which may take the form of literature, research studies, or government publications, with clinical knowledge and experience.

Evidence-based approaches can be summarized in the diagram to the right, showing the intersection between experiences, research and practice. As noted in this diagram, community members equally have experience and acknowledge that this is part of evidence-based practice.

LITERATURE

Literature is often used to reference evidence-based knowledge and community development work. Literature comprises published research, policy, and government publications on a chosen topic. The ‘gold standard’ is peer-reviewed literature. Sometimes, peer-reviewed literature does not exist on a specific topic, which may require exploring ‘grey literature,’ consisting of opinion pieces, technical reports, or publications that have not gone through a peer-review process.

TRANSFER KNOWLEDGE INTO COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT PRACTICE

Incorporating knowledge into community development is vital for promoting sustainable growth, tackling local issues, and empowering communities. It connects evidence with experience, allowing practitioners to create strategies grounded in culture and evidence. This approach fosters innovation, strengthens capacity building, and encourages informed decision-making. By blending varied types of knowledge—scientific, indigenous, and experiential—into practice, communities can enhance resilience, more effectively reach their objectives, and ensure that development initiatives are inclusive and equitable.

Credit: SlideShare, Source, State College of Nursing