Research Methods in Health and Social Care

Evidence-Base practice (EBP) is defined as: “based on problem identified from the practitioner’s area of practice; a combining of best evidence and professional expertise and an integration of this into current practice; about ensuring patients receive quality care, being part of quality improvement processes; about collaboration and requiring a team approach” (French, 1999). Scott and Mcsherry (2008) supported the French’s assertion, proposing the key elements of EBP are that it is a theory-driven process, which involves the use, evaluation and application of research; identification of best evidence; evaluation of care; problem solving; decision-making; clinical expertise; and requires patient involvement. Evidence-based practice is made of evidence, clinical expertise, patient preference, the context of care (Barker, 2013). In brief, evidence-based practice is the parameter in the nursing practice that it requires that the nurses gather and use clinical evidence to make decision for the patients so that in the nursing process they can deliver the quality of care for the patients (Ellis, 2013). In the other words, in the nursing practice all the nursing procedures performed by the clinical evidence supported.

Evidence based practice is an integral part of nursing care. According to the Academy of Medical-Surgical Nurses, evidence based practice is defined as, “the conscientious use of current best evidence in making decisions about patient care.” (AMSN) The use of evidence based practice has drastically improved patient outcomes, increased quality and safety of healthcare, and reduced costs for facilities. (Melnyk, 2016) In this paper I will provide the history of evidence based practice, how it has already been incorporated and impacted healthcare, and why it is important to nursing and healthcare as a whole.

Even though evidence informed practice helps improve healthcare, there are still a few limitations. One main limitation is lack of time and accessibility. The best quality evidence is usually very difficult to locate, a busy nurse may not have the time to delve deep to find reliable sources. (NICE 2007) However there are now

Evidence-based practice is extremely important in health care. It is not only important to know how to perform a certain skill, but why it should be done. There needs to be a standard of care and providers need to know the best way of doing things based on evidence. The article mentions that in the 20th century, many medial decisions were made on doctor assessment and preference (Brower, 2017). Many physicians were practicing dramatically different when compared with one another, which led to the realization that changes needed to be made and Evidence-based practice began to develop. Even though Evidence-based practices have been in play for a while, there is a gap between understanding and applying evidence-based

Evidence-based practice is the practice of making clinical decisions based off the best available research evidence coupled with the nurse’s own expertise, while also taking into account, the patient’s assessments and own personal preferences. This use of research has proven effective at providing better outcomes and lower healthcare costs, yet there are several barriers, such as time, education, and support, which prevent nurses from consistently using evidence-based practice (AJN, 2012). The top three barriers to the use of evidence-based practice are lack of time, education, and support in implementing new practices and using them consistently.

Another barrier is that organization does not provide the encouragement and acknowledgment to nurses who implement Evidence Based Practice (Cathy L. O’Nan, 2012). Major factors which prevent nurses from the implementation of Evidence Based Practices (EBP) are a lack of time to read articles, poor coordination with other members of health team and unavailability of nursing research articles. It was also concluded that nurses perceived the lack of managerial and organizational support to implement EBP (Ay, F., 2014).

Evidenced Based Practice (EBP) is essential to enable all nurses to provide the most current up to date practises for their patients. This process involves research, systematic review of current practises, critical thinking skills, evaluation and application to the clinical setting. In addition to this, the nurse must take into account the patients’ preferences. For nurses to have professional autonomy they must be able to justify their actions and demonstrate an understanding of why they perform the tasks they do. This defines them as unique professionals judged by their knowledge and not simply by their hands on skills.

Itroduction: Evidence-based practice is an approach to medicine that uses scientific evidence to determine the best practice (Beyea & Slattery, 2006). As nurses perform their daily tasks they must continually ask themselves, “What is the evidence for this intervention?”. Nurses are well positioned to question current nursing practices and use evidence to make care more effective. In order to improve patients’ outcomes it is the responsibility of the nurse to transition evidence-based practice into the norm, through application of daily practice (Flynn Makic, Rauen, Watson & Will Poteet, 2014). Continual evaluation of current practice must be performed to ensure the use of evidence-based practice opposed to practice based upon tradition. The implementation of evidence-based practice standardizes healthcare practices and diminishes groundless variations within care. These variations lead to the production of uncertain health outcomes (Stevens, 2013).

Within this essay Evidence based Practice will be identified and the significant effect it has on the nursing profession, barriers will also be explored in the implementation of Evidence Based Practice.

Evidence based practice (EBP) is the utilisation of best available, contemporary research in the management of individual patient care (Sackett et al. 2000). Combined with the personal experience of the healthcare professional, EBP facilitates problem-solving that takes patient preferences and values into account (Melnyk and Fineout-Overholt 2005). The approach respects the patient as an individual and as a partner in the planning and receiving of care. EBP aims to reduce the use of ineffective healthcare interventions and encourage clinical decision-making that is based on modern credible evidence (Stevens 2013). Concisely, it aspires to achieve best outcomes for patients hence increasing the standard of care nurses provide to their

Evidence-based practice will be extremely helpful among the hospital setting because it will allow for me to learn from reliable resources. Using evidence-based practice thus far has helped for me to learn about different cultures and become more prepared when meeting with patients. I will continue to work within the hospital setting and need to be sensitive of how different cultures feel about the medical system as well as treatment options. At times, I have found myself wondering why my patient does not want to go a certain treatment route and many times I can use evidence-based practice to get a better understanding. Many times evidence-based practice has allowed for me to share articles with coworkers and have dependable evidence to fall back on when advocating for my patient within team meetings.

something is done in a specific way. It also takes into consideration the preferences of

Evidence based practice is based on evidence used to support practice and nurses must justify their rationale, it is now formed as an integral part of management, education, strategy and policy.

The harmony among clinical and research orientation is essential to professional nurses as they dynamically enhance the nursing’s scientific knowledge by way of research. Evidence facilitates advancements in nursing and inhibits the usage of unjustified nursing errors and practices. Finally, evidence-based practice substitutes usage of trial and error and improves development, evaluation, and professional progression. Evidence-based practice is used by professional nurses for the sake of influencing the standard of care and for encouraging a self-directed nursing environment.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing means making decisions about patient care on the basis of best, current, standardized practice and guidelines. According to an article, written by Dr. Kathleen Stevens, the development of evidence-based practice (EBP) is fueled by the increasing public and professional demand for accountability in safety and quality improvement in health care (Stevens, 2013). The author also mentioned in her article that the intended effect of EBP is to standardize healthcare practices to science and best evidence and to reduce illogical variation in care,