This Institute prepares healthcare providers for an increasing role in evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve healthcare and outcomes through translation of research into practice. Designed for multiple disciplines, this conference builds on the success of the previous four Institutes. The 2006 Institute focuses on “Quality Improvement, Quality Indicators” and emphasizes creation of an evidence-based practice environment through partnership and organizational change. Clinicians, educators, researchers, and managers will be equipped with pragmatic, foundational, and intermediate EBP skills, with specific emphasis on strategies for practice improvement, measurement, infrastructure, and using EBP resources.

Public accountability is crucial to demonstrate adequate return-on-investment from the more than $250 billion spent on US health research. The Summer Institute on EBP is a direct response to this national call for healthcare providers to bridge research and quality care by preparing our workforce to implement a health system based on what we know to be best care.

During the 21⁄2 day Institute, noted EBP leaders and experts will present a coordinated, interactive curriculum. Major topics will include urgency of using evidence to improve clinical care, research evidence available for national priority clinical conditions, quality measures, knowledge management, partnership and infrastructure development, and impact of EBP on selected roles within the health professions (clinician, manager, educator, and researcher).

Special features of the 2006 Institute include:

• Pre Conference Session: The Educator’s EBP Workshop®
• Pre Conference: Essential Elements of EBP– an introduction for first-time attendees
• Presentations of best practice projects (See Call for Abstracts at www.acestar.uthscsa.edu)
• Graduate, Pre- and Post-Doctoral Coursework/Advanced EBP Post Conference (Contact Dr. Kathleen Stevens at acestar@uthscsa.edu for further information)

The program is planned by clinicians, educators, researchers, and administrators from multiple disciplines and from private, VA, and military healthcare agencies and has received repeat funding by the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.

Specific objectives guided selection of topics and design of learning strategies for the Institute. This Institute will offer participants the opportunity to:

1. Explore infrastructure, processes, and oversight factors necessary for a transparent healthcare system infused with evidence, quality, and safety.
2. Access, appraise, and rate various forms of evidence such as systematic reviews, clinical practice guidelines, and EBP toolkits, for improving care.
3. Specify and acquire competencies needed in the healthcare workforce for expanded roles in evidence-based quality improvement.
4. Adopt quality indicators for healthcare improvement, safety, and public reporting.
5. Use existing (national and local) partnerships and newly-created resources to integrate evidence-based practice into health care, education, and research.
6. Design a plan to evaluate impact of evidence-based practice on patient outcomes in priority health issues.

The Institute is of particular interest to the following groups:

• Clinicians, nurses, physicians, advanced practice nurses, pharmacists, librarians who wish to use evidence in practice
• Researchers who represent the science of the various disciplines
• Educators who prepare nurses, physicians, or pharmacists for implementing quality care
• Administrators and managers who shape healthcare services