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Systematic implementation of evidence-based practice in a clinical nursing setting: a participatory action research
Jolanda H H M Friesen-Storms1, Albine Moser, Sandra van der Loo
1Research Centre Autonomy and Participation of Persons with a Chronic Illness, Nursing Department, Zuyd Health, Zuyd University of Applied Science, Heerlen, Netherlands; CAPHRI School for Public Health and Primary Care, Maastricht University, Maastricht, Netherlands.
Aims And Objectives:
To describe the process of implementing evidence-based practice in a clinical nursing setting.
Background:
Evidence-based practice has become a major issue in nursing, it is insufficiently integrated into daily practice and its implementation is complex.
Design:
Participatory action research.
Methods:
The main participants were nurses working in a lung unit of a rural hospital. A multi-method process of data collection was used during the observing, reflecting, planning and acting phases. Data were continuously gathered during a 24-month period from 2010 to 2012, and analysed using an interpretive constant comparative approach. Patients were consulted to incorporate their perspective.
Results:
A best-practice mode of working was prevalent on the ward. The main barriers to the implementation of evidence-based practice were that nurses had little knowledge of evidence-based practice and a rather negative attitude towards it, and that their English reading proficiency was poor. The main facilitators were that nurses wanted to deliver high-quality care and were enthusiastic and open to innovation. Implementation strategies included a tailored interactive outreach training and the development and implementation of an evidence-based discharge protocol. The academic model of evidence-based practice was adapted. Nurses worked according to the evidence-based practice discharge protocol but barely recorded their activities. Nurses favourably evaluated the participatory action research process.
Conclusions:
Action research provides an opportunity to empower nurses and to tailor evidence-based practice to the practice context. Applying and implementing evidence-based practice is difficult for front-line nurses with limited evidence-based practice competencies.
Relevance To Clinical Practice:
Adaptation of the academic model of evidence-based practice to a more pragmatic approach seems necessary to introduce evidence-based practice into clinical practice. The use of scientific evidence can be facilitated by using pre-appraised evidence. For clinical practice, it seems relevant to integrate scientific evidence with clinical expertise and patient values in nurses' clinical decision-making at the individual patient level.
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