Valuing both critical and creative thinking in clinical practice: narrowing the research-practice gap?

Area of Science:

• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Healthcare Research

Background:

• Critical thinking skills are vital for healthcare professionals, particularly nurses, to effectively appraise and implement research.
• Despite academic advancements in research knowledge, a persistent gap exists between research findings and clinical practice.
• The transferability of critical thinking skills from academic settings to practical nursing application remains a significant challenge.

Purpose of the Study:

• To explore reasons behind the failure to bridge the research-practice gap in nursing.
• To advocate for the integration of creative and generative thinking alongside critical thinking to enhance nursing practice and education.
• To emphasize the importance of the 'art of nursing' in research and practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual analysis of the research-practice gap in nursing.
• Discussion of the limitations of solely academic critical thinking development.
• Proposal of practical strategies to foster critical and creative thinking in clinical settings.

Main Results:

• Academic development of critical thinking skills does not guarantee their application in clinical decision-making or research appraisal.
• The research-practice gap has shown minimal reduction despite the focus on academic critical thinking.
• Critical and creative thinking are essential for integrating research into nursing practice.

Conclusions:

• Bridging the research-practice gap requires embedding research into practitioners' professional ideology, encompassing both the art and science of nursing.
• Structured educational initiatives, such as journal clubs, can foster critical thinking within the practice environment.
• Collaborative efforts between educators and practitioners are needed to develop practical approaches for literature appraisal and knowledge application in clinical settings.