Assignment Application Using The Data In The Information

Assignment Applicationusing The Data in the Data, Information, Knowledge, Wisdom

Assignment: Application: Using the Data/Information/Knowledge/Wisdom Continuum Have you ever gone online to search for a journal article on a specific topic? It is amazing to see the large number of journals that are available in the health care field. When you view the library in its entirety, you are viewing untapped data. Until you actually research for your particular topic, there is little structure. Once you have narrowed it down, you have information and once you apply the information, you have knowledge. Eventually, after thoughtful research and diligent practice, you reach the level of wisdom—knowledge applied in meaningful ways. Are there areas in your practice that you believe should be more fully explored? The central aims of nursing informatics are to manage and communicate data, information, knowledge, and wisdom. This continuum represents the overarching structure of nursing informatics. In this Assignment, you develop a research question relevant to your practice area and relate how you would work through the progression from data to information, knowledge, and wisdom. To prepare: · Review the information in Figure 6–2 in Nursing Informatics and the Foundation of Knowledge . · Develop a clinical question related to your area of practice that you would like to explore. · Consider what you currently know about this topic. What additional information would you need to answer the question? · Using the continuum of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom, determine how you would go about researching your question. · Explore the available databases in the Walden Library. Identify which of these databases you would use to find the information or data you need. · Once you have identified useful databases, how would you go about finding the most relevant articles and information? · Consider how you would extract the relevant information from the articles. · How would you take the information and organize it in a way that was useful? How could you take the step from simply having useful knowledge to gaining wisdom? Write a 3 page paper that addresses the following: · Summarize the question you developed, and then relate how you would work through the four steps of the data, information, knowledge, wisdom continuum. Be specific. · Identify the databases and search words you would use. · Relate how you would take the information gleaned and turn it into useable knowledge. · Can informatics be used to gain wisdom? Describe how you would progress from simply having useful knowledge to the wisdom to make decisions about the information you have found during your database search. Your paper must also include a title page, an introduction, a summary, and a reference page.

Paper For Above instruction

The digital age has revolutionized nursing practice by emphasizing the importance of data, information, knowledge, and wisdom (DIKW) in clinical decision-making. In particular, exploring how nursing informatics can elevate clinical practice involves understanding and applying the DIKW continuum effectively. This paper will examine a clinical question relevant to nursing practice, analyze how to progress through the DIKW stages, identify appropriate databases and search strategies, and discuss how to translate knowledge into clinical wisdom.

Developed Clinical Question

The clinical question I developed pertains to the management of chronic pain in elderly patients: "What are the most effective non-pharmacological interventions for managing chronic pain in older adults?" This question is pertinent given the increasing prevalence of chronic pain among the aging population and the need to explore alternatives to medication regimens that often carry significant side effects.

Working Through the DIKW Continuum

The first step in the DIKW hierarchy is data, which involves raw facts collected from various sources. For this question, data includes patient health records, survey results, and clinical trial data related to pain management strategies. The second step, information, is derived by organizing and summarizing these data points into comprehensible formats, such as statistical analyses and summaries of intervention outcomes.

To transform this data into knowledge, I would analyze the information to identify patterns and trends, such as which non-pharmacological methods—like physical therapy, acupuncture, or cognitive-behavioral therapy—show the most promise in managing pain effectively. This step involves critical appraisal of research findings to synthesize evidence-based practices. Finally, gaining wisdom entails applying this knowledge in clinical decision-making, tailoring interventions to individual patients’ needs, and evaluating outcomes to continually improve practice.

Database Selection and Search Strategies

The primary databases I would utilize include CINAHL (Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature), PubMed, and Cochrane Library, as they provide extensive collections of nursing and medical research. I would use search terms such as "non-pharmacological pain management," "chronic pain elderly," "complementary therapies," and "geriatric pain intervention." Boolean operators like AND, OR, and NOT would refine the search, ensuring relevance and comprehensiveness.

For example, a search phrase in PubMed could be: "non-pharmacological AND chronic pain AND elderly." I would filter results for peer-reviewed articles published within the last five years to ensure current evidence. The use of MeSH (Medical Subject Headings) terms, such as "Pain Management" and "Geriatric Patients," would further enhance the search precision.

Transforming Information into Knowledge

After retrieving relevant articles, I would critically appraise each study’s methodology, results, and applicability using tools such as the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme) checklists. Extracting pertinent data involves noting the type of intervention, sample size, outcomes, and limitations. Organizing this information into comparative tables or summaries helps synthesize evidence, making it easier to draw conclusions about the most effective interventions.

The organization of data into themes, such as physical therapies or psychological approaches, assists in developing a comprehensive understanding. This step bridges raw research data and practical knowledge, guiding clinical decisions and recommendations tailored to patient needs.

From Knowledge to Wisdom and the Role of Informatics

Transitioning from knowledge to wisdom requires contextual understanding and experience. In nursing informatics, decision-support systems and clinical dashboards can integrate evidence-based data, providing real-time insights for clinicians. For example, electronic health records can alert providers when evidence supports specific interventions for elderly patients with chronic pain, facilitating informed, timely decisions.

Furthermore, applying the knowledge gained from research within clinical practice, combined with ongoing evaluation and reflection, turns raw information into wisdom. This process involves prioritizing patient-centered care, weighing risks and benefits, and considering individual patient preferences and socioeconomic factors. Nursing informatics plays a vital role here by enabling data-driven insights, clinical reasoning, and continuous learning—transforming static knowledge into dynamic wisdom that improves patient outcomes.

Summary

In conclusion, the progression through the DIKW continuum from data, to information, to knowledge, and ultimately to wisdom, is fundamental in enhancing nursing practice. Developing a relevant clinical question allows nurses to engage in evidence-based decision-making. Employing targeted database searches and critical appraisal techniques enables the transformation of raw data into meaningful knowledge. Through the integration of nursing informatics tools, clinicians can elevate this knowledge to wisdom—providing personalized, effective, and ethical patient care. Emphasizing this continuum exemplifies the power of nursing informatics in advancing healthcare quality and safety.

References

• AHRQ. (2017). Evidence-based practices for managing chronic pain in older adults. Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality.
• George, J. B. (2011). Nursing theories: The base for professional nursing practice (6th ed.). Pearson.
• Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice. Wolters Kluwer Health.
• McGonigle, D., & Mastrian, K. G. (2018). Nursing informatics and the foundation of knowledge (4th ed.). Jones & Bartlett Learning.
• Nelson, R. M., & Staggers, N. (2019). Health informatics: An interprofessional approach. Elsevier.
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• World Health Organization. (2019). Traditional, complementary and integrative medicine: WHO global report. WHO Publications.
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• Staggers, N., & Thompson, C. B. (2017). The evolution of nursing informatics competencies: A work in progress. Nursing Outlook, 65(2), 156-166.