In EBP, what is the primary purpose of conducting a systematic review?

The primary purpose of conducting a systematic review is to summarize findings from multiple studies to inform practice. Systematic reviews are methodical and structured approaches that collect, critically assess, and synthesize research evidence on a specific topic. This rigorous methodology ensures that the results are reliable and can provide a comprehensive overview of the existing evidence. By bringing together data from various studies, a systematic review helps identify trends, establish the effectiveness of interventions, and guide healthcare practitioners in making informed decisions based on the best available evidence.

In contrast to this, other approaches like individual case studies or narrative descriptions are less comprehensive and do not provide a holistic overview of evidence. These methods may focus on unique observations or theoretical discussions rather than a critical appraisal of a broad range of studies that contribute to practice.