Basing practice on research

Managerial strategies and policies - Analysis of patient satisfaction based on demographic data

Service quality of healthcare organizations is more and more determined by the patients' satisfaction data. Therefore, the fairness of this comparison raises questions. The factors that could affect it are represented by the demographic characteristics of patients but also the institutional characteristics of the healthcare organization. In this study, we will analyze the demographic factors. 150 questionnaires were analyzed, completed by the patients of an obstetrics-gynecology clinic in order to complete an observer study. Observing the differences between the demographic aspects of the patients, we decided to analyze them using a few satisfaction scores that were built on the answers received on the basis of the questionnaire. Each satisfaction score was attributed to a category of satisfaction surveyed between patients, and its interpretation was based on the answers received and the number of questions. The analysis of the results has shown the existence of many correlations observed in the study, based on the built-up scores, the demographic data of the patients (background, age category, level of education, monthly income level, civil status, gynecological consultation objective, sex of the gynecologist) and the way the patients were informed and their general impression.

Strategic collaborative model for evidence-based nursing practice

PURPOSE

To describe a model that has been developed to guide nurses and other health professionals in collaborative efforts toward evidence-based nursing practice.

METHOD

A review of literature was conducted using MEDLINE and CINAHL to search for articles on research utilization for evidence-based practice in health care delivery. Empirical studies; reviews; and theoretical, opinion, and information articles were included in the review in order to provide a more comprehensive view of the state of evidence-based nursing internationally.

FINDINGS

Findings revealed a number of barriers to evidence-based nursing practice, which have persisted over the last two decades, including inadequate knowledge of research among practicing nurses, lack of administrative support for research activities in clinical settings, lack of empowerment of nurses, and lack of needed mentoring from nursing research consultants.

CONCLUSIONS

Barriers in the areas of nursing education and administrative support appear to be major. A need was identified for a pragmatic model that encourages cooperation and collaboration between educators/researchers in academia and the administrative leaders in the clinical facilities if evidence-based nursing practice is to become the norm. FRAMEWORK OF MODEL: The Tyler Collaborative Model is based on an eclectic approach to planned change for creating evidence-based practice. This model identifies a step-by-step process for change, while allowing for the opportunity to integrate any of the previously available methods of critical appraisal to determine the best evidence for practice in each clinical setting.

Utilization of nursing research in practice and application strategies to raise research awareness amongst nurse practitioners: a model for success

This paper describes the views of nurse practitioners regarding the utilization of nursing research in practice and puts forward four major strategies to raise research awareness amongst students and qualified nursing staff. The aims of the study were to describe the extent to which nursing research was being used in practice and secondly the degree of nurses' awareness of current research findings relevant to their daily work. Attention also focused on strategies needed to improve research awareness amongst nurse practitioners. The study was centred on two large district general hospitals, chosen to provide contrasts. Data were collected at two points in time, over a 2 1/2-year period, using in-depth individual and group interviews. The results of the study showed that research awareness amongst many nurses and research utilization in several practice areas were poor despite availability of a number of relevant and well-established nursing research findings. It also showed that resistance to applying nursing research to practice was often high, particularly amongst more senior nursing staff. However, it could be changed if researchers, nursing lecturers and nurse practitioners work jointly together towards promoting nursing research in practice and using: facilitation, support and encouragement; role modelling; consistency; and application in clinical practice.