CPG Policy Guidance
VA Evidence-Based Practice works with the Department of Defense (DOD) to develop evidence-based practice guidelines to be used within the VA and DOD. VA/DOD guideline development work is done under the auspices of the VA/DOD Evidence-Based Practice Working Group (EBPWG), a working group chartered by the VA/DOD Health Executive Committee since 1998.
The charter is periodically updated and delineates the EBPWG’s scope of responsibilities:
- Identify and assess further opportunities for improving the adoption of evidence-based clinical practices through the coordination and sharing of health related services and resources between the Departments.
- Facilitate on-going implementation of evidence-based clinical advances into practice.
- Champion the integration of evidence-based clinical practice into current developing information systems.
- Foster integration of evidence-based practice into VA/DOD initiatives related to health promotion, disease prevention, and wellness initiatives.
- Adopt or adapt, develop, and maintain evidence-based clinical practice guidelines.
- Assess the effectiveness of implementation and make recommendations to maximize performance improvement.
- Identify opportunities and make recommendations for research related to evidence-based practice within VA/DOD.
A hallmark of VA/DOD guidelines is their relative freedom from conflict of interest. Conflicts of interest faced by the VA/DOD EBPWG and the working groups that it charters to develop specific guidelines are handled based on the VHA Handbook 1004.07 - Financial Relationships between VHA Health Care Professionals and Industry, which was signed November 24, 2014. All EBPWG meetings utilize the process of real-time verbal disclosure as required by VHA Handbook 1004.07 - Information for Members of VHA Decision Making and Advisory Groups.
