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Assignment Due Date: Monday Week 10, 28th April 2014 1200hrs (midday)
Word Count: Max 2,500 words
Contribution to overall grade: 25%

During this semester we have examined how the principles of evidence-based practice (EBP) assist healthcare professionals in all disciplines to identify knowledge gaps and make informed decisions to complement (support) clinical expertise. You have been learning about the systematic process involved in the application of EBP in practice. Now, for this assignment, you are required to apply this process to the case study that follows. Using the elements of the EBP process, discuss how you would ensure safe and effective care is provided for this patient. You should consider the following key points:

• development of the guiding/ clinical question/s;
• location of the best available evidence to answer the question/s;
• appraisal of the evidence and resources to answer the question/s;
• implementation of the evidence and relevant findings into clinical practice, and;
• evaluation of outcomes and processes.
Case Study:

Mr Armitage is a 50-year old man of Aboriginal descent with a 5-year history of poorly controlled type 2 diabetes mellitus. He was diagnosed with this condition in 2004 after approximately 2 years symptoms suggestive of hyperglycaemia. He is married, has two adult children, is self-employed owning and managing a small grocery store in a regional shopping centre. One of his daughters works with in the family business while studying part-time. The other is married, has her own family, and lives interstate. Mr Armitage and his wife live approximately one hour away from their business and commute daily by car. He has a history of coronary artery disease; his father died from a myocardial infarction (heart attack) at age 78 and his uncle had a heart attack at age 72 and died of heart failure several months later. Mr Armitage has the following medical history:
• Hypercholesteroleamia
• Inguinal hernia repair 10 years ago
• Obstructive sleep apnoea, and
• Hypertension

Some important points to consider while preparing/ writing this assessment item:
1. Make sure you refer to the assignment writing guidelines.
2. You will need an introduction and conclusion to this assignment.
3. Headings are acceptable – you might like to use the ‘key points’ above.
4. Dot points are not acceptable – this must be written in essay format.
5. NB* this is an essay about the application of evidence to practice so you are not expected to discuss detailed clinical care. Rather, your discussion should focus on: what are the needs of the patient/ what does the literature ‘say’ about best practice….
6. Make sure you use the marking criteria to focus your preparation and discussion.