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Ensuring practice is based on the best evidence: Masterclass on literature searching

02 May 2015
Professional
02 May 2015
Volume 23 · Issue 5

Abstract

The Nursing and Midwifery Council's revised Code became effective on 31 March 2015 (NMC, 2015a) and post-registration education and practice (Prep) will be replaced with revalidation in October 2015 (NMC, 2015b). The new standards and requirements aim to reassure the public that midwives are reflective, professional practitioners who provide high-quality care underpinned by best evidence (NMC, 2015a). The requirements of revalidation include increased continuing professional development (CPD) whereby midwives must provide written evidence of reflective practice and undertake at least 40 hours of work-related learning activities every 3 years (NMC, 2014; NMC, 2015a; 2015b). With the new requirement for written evidence of reflection, this article will provide some useful hints and tips on where and how to search for relevant literature and meet the requirements of the Code and revalidation.

Midwives must ‘always practise in line with the best available evidence’ (Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC), 2015a: 7) in order to provide safe and effective care. The purpose of the revised Code and revalidation is to ensure that midwives are basing their practice on the best available evidence thereby giving the public greater confidence in their fitness to practise and the quality of care they provide. Midwives will be required to undertake increased continuing professional development (CPD) (from 35 to 40 hours) and provide evidence of reflective practice (five reflective accounts) to maintain their professional registration (NMC, 2014; 2015a; 2015b). In reality, keeping up-to-date with developments and innovations in health can seem overwhelming, with a constant stream of research from across the world being published daily. Trying to search for, and access, the latest literature may seem an unrealistic expectation of busy midwives who are already juggling their work and home life.

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Continuing Professional Development
Revalidation
Literature searching
Reflective practice
Code