Supporting Evidence Based Practices through Research - Essay Example

Supporting Evidence Based Practices through Research To I agree that Career Ladder, Nursing Research Mentors and the Research/EBP Council provide great opportunities and encouragement toward promoting organizational commitment, best practices in clinical environments and patient outcomes through in-depth research. There is no better moment than finding a solution to a patient’s health problem that has been plaguing him (or her) for years. It is most important that all nurses learn how to conduct research within a multitude of platforms available, such as electronic databases, online libraries, electronic journal repositories, and through reviewing cases histories (Melnyk&Fineout-Overholt 2011).
I have found that research provides a good foundation in continuing to educate myself in those most common issues found in healthcare and to question what is currently in place so as to make it better. There are new drugs being tested all the time and a patient might finally obtain relief by being willing to try something new (Webb 2011). Using the NIRNM provides me with experience in learning and understanding the process of IRB approval and how I can do my own research using MEDline, CONHAL and Cochrane Review.
I agree that obtaining funding for research projects should be the goal of every nurse in order to bring back good solutions that can enhance a patient’s life, particularly when that research done, enhances and extends it further than had originally been predicted. I have found that medical research has several options for obtaining funding which I can utilize whenever possible (Webb 2011; Melnyk&Fineout-Overholt 2011; LoBiondo-Wood & Haber 2013). The National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR) is one such organization that currently looks at those projects which determines health risk and treatment through understanding and utilizing genetic information, such as a patient’s family members, who have had breast cancer. Educating the public through well-researched information provides truth to those who need it most, who need to see that truth in research provides good solutions for them to change lifestyles and to visit the doctor regularly so as to prevent occurrences of potential cancer (Webb 2011; LoBiondo-Wood & Haber 2013).
I have found that typical projects that can be funded are in concerns for improving clinical situations as part of providing better care, determining approaches which best encourage patients to take responsibility for managing symptoms and developing their own better healthy lifestyle, and also improving symptom management for those undergoing end of life situations (Webb 2011; LoBiondo-Wood & Haber 2013). The best types of quantitative research are based on needs assessment, experimental methods (such as dosage), meta-analysis and secondary analysis. This means compiling previous studies and looking at data in different ways for a new picture. As you and I see it, research and EBP, therefore, requires a constant state of research in order to look for better results in providing healthcare solutions to the public.
I definitely agree with you that patients have more complex needs in regards to health issues, such as multiple diagnosis and chronic illnesses and that it is important to fully investigate all parts of a patient’s socio-environment as well to give the best quality in health solutions, and in a timely manner. Therefore, as you have said, we must become experts at researching and developing better solutions to help our patients in every way.

Resources
LoBiondo-Wood, G, & Haber, J. (2013). Nursing Research: Methods and Critical Appraisal for Evidence-Based Practice (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby
Melnyk, B.M., &Fineout-Overholt, E. (2011). Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare (2nd ed.). Baltimore, MD: Wolters Kluwer Health.
Webb, J.J. (2011) Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice. Chapter 6. In Cherry, B. & Jacob, S.R. (Eds.), Contemporary Nursing: Issues, Trends & Management (5th ed.), (pp. 104-124). St. Louis, MO: Elsevier/Mosby. Available at http://www.coursewareobjects.com/objects/evolve/E2/book_pages/cherry/pdf/SAMPLE.pdf Read More