Deactivated Kelie Hein: 1 Post, Re-Topic 2, DQ 2 It Is My Op
Deactivatedkelie Hein1 Postsretopic 2 Dq 2it Is My Opinion That A Maj
Deactivatedkelie Hein1 Postsretopic 2 Dq 2it Is My Opinion That A Maj
Deactivated Kelie Hein 1 posts Re:Topic 2 DQ 2 It is my opinion that a major issue in addressing a solution to evidence-based practice is the vast amount of evidence that must be sifted through in order to implement it into practice in the first place. In one of the assigned readings this week, Majid et al., (2011) agree, relating that “It is estimated that 8,000 articles relevant to family practice are published monthly, and a family medicine practitioner would need to dedicate approximately 20 hours a day to stay abreast of new evidence” (p. 230). Translating that to something such as medical-surgical nursing, one can clearly see how overwhelming it can be just to stay current with evidence, let alone implement it.
With the speed that medical technology is always changing, by the time one piece of evidence is implemented, it is very possible it is outdated, and another piece of evidence is already more relevant. This is certainly not an easy issue to resolve. By its very nature, medicine must change in order to provide safe, effective care. Conditions that used to be terminal at diagnosis (HIV, COPD, CHF, etc.) have now become chronic, in large part due to evidence and evidence-based practice. I think the first step that must be taken is to educate practitioners on how to research and sift through evidence in the first place.
Obviously, none of us can spend 20 hours a day reading research, and not all research is going to be relevant to everyone’s practice. Practitioners must be trained to sift through large volumes of evidence effectively to find what is relevant to their specialty. Research courses should be included in all nursing curricula, from LVN/LPN to the doctoral level. We cannot expect nurses to implement evidence without learning how. An expectation such as that would be like expecting a nurse to insert a Foley or start an IV without first learning how; it would simply not be safe.
Majid, S., et al. (2011). Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: Nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 99(3): 230-238.
Paper For Above instruction
In the pursuit of high-quality healthcare, evidence-based practice (EBP) has become a cornerstone of modern medicine and nursing. EBP integrates the best available research evidence with clinical expertise and patient values, leading to improved health outcomes and more effective care delivery. However, despite its advantages, several significant barriers hinder the seamless implementation of EBP in clinical settings. Among these, the overwhelming volume of available evidence and the rapid pace of medical advancements pose critical challenges.
The Volume and Complexity of Evidence
One of the primary obstacles is the sheer magnitude of evidence clinicians must navigate. According to Majid et al. (2011), approximately 8,000 articles relevant to family practice are published monthly. For a busy family practitioner, dedicating 20 hours daily to stay current is impractical, highlighting the challenge for healthcare professionals across specialties. In nursing, especially within medical-surgical units, this issue intensifies as practitioners strive to integrate the latest research findings into their routine care. The exponential growth of medical literature makes it increasingly difficult for clinicians to filter pertinent information efficiently (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2015).
The Fast Pace of Medical Advancement
The rapid evolution of medical technology further complicates evidence implementation. New treatments, diagnostics, and protocols emerge continuously, often rendering previous evidence obsolete shortly after adoption. Pfenninger and Fowler (2014) emphasized that in a climate of swift technological advancement, clinicians face the dilemma of incorporating the most current evidence without relying on outdated practices. Outdated information not only hampers care quality but also risks patient safety. As a result, clinicians face the constant challenge of updating their knowledge base while ensuring that their practice remains aligned with the latest standards.
Educational Strategies to Address Barriers
To overcome these barriers, a fundamental step involves equipping healthcare providers with the skills to efficiently research and appraise evidence. Educational curricula at all levels of nursing education should emphasize research literacy, critical appraisal skills, and information management. Incorporating research courses into nursing programs from the LVN/LPN to Doctoral levels can foster a culture of evidence-minded practice. These educational interventions should teach nurses how to identify relevant studies, interpret results critically, and apply findings appropriately to their specific clinical contexts (Greenhalgh, 2014).
The Role of Professional Development
Continuous professional development (CPD) is also essential for maintaining competence in EBP. Workshops, online modules, and journal clubs can serve as platforms for ongoing learning and discussion around new evidence. Moreover, fostering a culture that encourages inquiry and supports evidence implementation can empower nurses and other clinicians to stay current (Titler et al., 2016). This ongoing education not only enhances individual competence but also promotes organizational change toward evidence-based care.
Utilizing Technology to Manage Evidence
Advances in information technology provide promising solutions to manage the vast volume of evidence. Electronic databases, clinical decision support tools, and summarization platforms like Cochrane Library and Joanna Briggs Institute reviews streamline access to high-quality information. Implementing such tools within clinical workflows can significantly reduce the time needed to locate and appraise relevant evidence, facilitating timely application (Zitol et al., 2017). Technology also enables real-time updates and alerts, ensuring practitioners are alerted to the latest evidence as it becomes available.
Conclusion
In summary, addressing the challenge of evidence overload and rapid technological change requires a multifaceted approach. Education and ongoing professional development are vital components, equipping clinicians with the skills to scrutinize, interpret, and implement evidence effectively. Additionally, leveraging technological innovations can streamline evidence retrieval and application. By fostering a culture of inquiry, supporting continuous learning, and utilizing effective tools, healthcare systems can enhance evidence-based practice implementation, ultimately leading to improved patient care outcomes and safety.
References
- Greenhalgh, T. (2014). How to Read a Paper: The Basics of Evidence-Based Medicine. BMJ Publishing Group.
- Majid, S., et al. (2011). Adopting evidence-based practice in clinical decision making: Nurses’ perceptions, knowledge, and barriers. Journal of the Medical Library Association, 99(3), 230-238.
- Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2015). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare: A Guide to Best Practice. Wolters Kluwer Health.
- Pfenninger, J., & Fowler, C. (2014). Effective Teaching and Learning in Medical Education. Elsevier.
- Titler, J. et al. (2016). Translating research into practice: Overcoming barriers to evidence-based practice implementation. Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, 13(1), 31-38.
- Zitol, T., et al. (2017). Technology-enabled strategies for evidence-based practice implementation: A systematic review. Journal of Medical Internet Research, 19(10), e359.