Achieving clinical excellence through evidence-based practice: report of an educational initiative

We live in a political and professional climate which requires us to define, maintain and seek to improve the quality of all aspects of health care practice, not least via underpinning decisions and actions with robust evidence. In order to meet this challenge, staff must be clinically competent, reflective about their practice, committed to delivering a 'First Class Service' and able to work in a truly multidisciplinary way (as opposed to the unidisciplinary model frequently seen in operation). In addition, they need to be research 'literate' and able to contribute positively to the management and sustainment of planned change. For managers, the role of staff development in order to meet these goals is not inconsiderable. This paper discusses the process and outcomes of a successful educational initiative which sought to meet the plethora of challenges that face managers and their staff in the course of trying to achieve these goals.