We reached out to Beatrice Perrenoud, former director of BEST, to talk about some of the achievements the Centre has seen in evidence-based health care (EBHC) over the last 10 years. 

Tell us a little about BEST

BEST aims to support and promote EBHC. Our centre was founded in 2012. BEST is the result of a partnership between five institutions, a university institute, three higher education and a university hospital, which acts as clinical partner. 

What motivated you to join the JBI Collaboration?

A pilot period allowed us to learn about the different organisations working on the development of evidence-based practice at the international level. BEST decided to integrate into the JBI Collaboration and set the goal of becoming a Centre of Excellence.

This choice was motivated by several elements. JBI proposes a solid structure and an extensive network of researchers and clinicians active in EBHC, offering dynamism and opportunities for collaboration. JBI is inclusive of all healthcare professions: multi-professionality is an important characteristic of BEST, which brings together professionals from physiotherapy, nursing, medical radiology, dietetics and midwifery. Finally, the models and tools proposed by JBI have been a very useful support to develop EBHC. BEST is active in evidence synthesis, transfer and implementation.

How did your interest in evidence-based practice start?

Our interest was driven by the population’s expectations of receiving the most relevant care. This is enshrined in Swiss law on health insurance. BEST is located in an academic environment favourable to EBHC, and there is a natural synergy around EBHC in our group, which is made up of academic institutions. 

After 10 years, what still motivates you?

The changes that characterise healthcare systems, the population being cared for, the development of new treatments and the resources available are permanent challenges. EBHC makes it possible to adequately question practices and to provide avenues for dealing with these numerous challenges. BEST is committed to support health professionals and teachers by facilitating access to feasible, appropriate, meaningful and effective evidence.

What has your Centre achieved that you are most proud of?

First, maintaining our Centre of Excellence status, producing systematic reviews, delivering JBI training on systematic reviews and evidence implementation, and conducting evidence implementation projects with our clinical partner. Second, maintaining a good collaboration within our partnership. Third, expanding our scope of action with the integration of a second university hospital as clinical partner in 2022. 

What are the stand-out lessons you have learnt in your time with JBI?

The multiplicity of tools available in the JBI network make the work on EBHC easy, and provide a common base that facilities exchanges and collaborations. Rigour and teamwork are the keys to a successful EBHC process. 

What would be the one piece of advice you would give to someone thinking of joining the JBI Collaborative?

Collaborating with JBI is a great opportunity at a Centre level, a clinical-partner level and a personal level. It gives access to directly usable resources and a global network of experts.

Can you share one of your fondest memories of the JBIC?

When JBI endorsed our clinical partner as a healthcare organisation that demonstrates commitment to EBHC. We celebrated the achievement with BEST partner institutions and health professionals who completed the first clinical fellowship training (Evidence Implementation Training Program) held in Switzerland.

Can you share something about your Centre that other entities may not know?

We are the only EBHC centre in Switzerland, and our Centre has started to translate some JBI Best Practice Information Sheets into French. 

Is there anything else you would like to share?

We strengthened collaborations with our scientific librarians, who have also been trained by JBI. They have become essential partners in the work on EBHC carried out by the BEST and in the development of our Centre of Excellence. 

We congratulate Beatrice and the team at BEST on this 10-year milestone. We look forward to many more years of EBHC collaboration with JBI and its partners.