Research-based Evidence Assignment

Research-based Evidence Assignment

Research-based Evidence Assignment

Week 7 discussion Applying and Sharing Evidence to Practice After the data have been analyzed, conclusions are made regarding what the findings mean. Then, this information must be shared with your healthcare team. Choose one of the articles from the Week 5 RRL assignment, and discuss the findings. Would you apply the evidence found to your practice? Explain your answer. Translating research into practice is the final and most important step in the research process. Review information you found your nursing clinical issue and explain ways in which you would share the research-based evidence with your peers.

The definition of evidence-based research
Evidence-based research means that the information you use to make decisions about patient care is based on sound research, not opinion. This means you must search several sources (published articles in medical journals or in electronic form) for data, results and conclusions of valid, reputable studies.

The definition of evidence-based nursing
The definition of evidence-based nursing, as accepted by the National Council of State Boards of Nursing, is a rigorous methodology in which all the research data for a particular problem or issue are analyzed together, then combined with patients’ values and preferences, as well as professional expertise – your accumulated experience, education and skills.

How to bridge the gap between evidence-based research and clinical practice
Diligent research on a particular issue is good, but it holds no value until you put your findings into practice. Bridging the gap from research to clinical practice can be accomplished in many ways. One model for guiding nurses through this process includes these steps:

Assess the patient and the need for change
Construct a clinical question derived from the patient’s problem
Acquire the best evidence through a thorough search
Appraise the evidence for validity and usefulness
Return to the patient and integrate that evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences
Apply what you have learned
Evaluate what you have learned
Translating evidence-based research into optimal care works best when the process is supported by medical institutions
It is important for both the institution and individual nurses to develop a culture that allows and encourages them to put evidence-based research into practice. This can be accomplished by the institution when it:

Promotes self-directed learning as a professional value
Promotes the concept of using best evidence in daily clinical practice
Establishes a library of electronic and paper resources on evidence-based practice
Improves and promotes the use of informatics and library resources by staff nurses
Studies and overcomes the gaps between research and practice
Encourages the study of changes in nurse practice patterns
Helps accomplished learners become teachers
Knowing how to conduct evidence-based research and put it into practice is not only a necessary skill for clinical nurses, but also for nurse educators to support their teaching strategies and for nurse regulators who create the guidelines for regulating nurse practice. Regardless of the area in which you work, the common goal of all these disciplines is to provide the best possible patient care.