What challenge does publication bias pose in EBP?

Publication bias presents significant challenges in evidence-based practice (EBP) because it tends to favor positive or statistically significant results over negative or inconclusive ones. When positive outcomes are more likely to be published, this creates a distorted view of the available evidence. Specifically, the research literature may become skewed towards successful interventions, while studies that report neutral or negative findings may remain unpublished. This imbalance can lead practitioners to adopt treatments that appear to be effective based on incomplete evidence, which ultimately affects patient outcomes and the quality of care.

In EBP, a comprehensive understanding of all available evidence is crucial for making informed decisions about interventions. When publication bias is present, it can diminish the robustness of systematic reviews and meta-analyses, and thus the recommendations derived from them. Addressing publication bias is essential to ensure that healthcare professionals make decisions based on a complete picture of the evidence, leading to better patient care.