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Myth: EBP is impossible to implement because we do not have enough evidence.
Reality: EBP can be implemented regardless of the size of the research base. The fact is that we will never have enough evidence. The notion of the best and most current research evidence is relative rather than absolute; sometimes a case study is the best and most current evidence available.
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Myth: EBP already exists.
Reality: Although there may be some practitioners who implement EBP to some extent there are also many more practitioners who take little or no time to review current AAC research findings.
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Myth: EBP declares evidence the authority.
Reality: The diagram on p. 10 illustrates that evidence needs to be integrated with clinical/educational expertise and relevant stakeholder perspectives with the ultimate decision-making authority resting with relevant stakeholders.
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Myth: EBP is a cost-cutting mechanism.
Reality: EBP focuses on the best available evidence to be integrated with clinical/educational expertise and relevant stakeholders' perspectives. This called-for integration does not dictate a decision that is always less expensive.
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Myth: EBP is cookie-cutter practice.
Reality: EBP requires not only extensive clinical expertise but also skillful integration of all three cornerstones of EBP. This integration is more likely to be novel from one direct stakeholder to the next than the same. Thus, it requires the application of principles that need to be adapted to specific situations and different mixes of information. Such knowledge and skills are inconsistent with a cookie-cutter approach.
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Myth: EBP is impossible to put in place.
Reality: The implementation of EBP is a matter of degree. Individual clinicians even with less extensive effort can accomplish some degree of EBP.
With ASHA's permission adapted from Schlosser (2003c)
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