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Getting evidence into practice: the role and function of facilitation
Gill Harvey1, Alison Loftus-Hills, Jo Rycroft-Malone
1Quality Improvement Programme, RCN Institute, Oxford, UK.
Journal of Advanced Nursing
|March 7, 2002
Summary
Facilitation is key for implementing evidence-based practice, but its role needs clearer definition. This analysis clarifies the purpose, skills, and attributes of facilitators to distinguish them from other change agents.
Area of Science:
- Healthcare Implementation Science
- Organizational Change Management
- Knowledge Translation
Background:
- A prior conceptual framework identified facilitation as crucial for evidence uptake.
- Facilitation, evidence, and context were proposed as key elements influencing practice change.
- Facilitators were conceptualized as guides for individuals and teams in adopting new practices.
Purpose of the Study:
- To conduct a concept analysis of facilitation in the context of evidence implementation.
- To achieve theoretical and conceptual clarity regarding the role of facilitation.
- To refine an existing conceptual framework for evidence uptake.
Main Methods:
- A critical review of research literature and seminal texts was performed.
- The concept analysis approach was utilized to examine facilitation.
- The study focused on the role of facilitation in evidence-based practice implementation.
Main Results:
- The concept of facilitation is currently underdeveloped and requires further delineation.
- The purpose, role, skills, and attributes of facilitators were explored.
- Distinctions were made between facilitation and other change agent roles (e.g., academic detailers).
Conclusions:
- Facilitation can be viewed as a continuum, from task-focused to holistic enabling.
- Key defining characteristics of facilitation were proposed.
- Further research is needed to clarify and evaluate various facilitation models.