In the late 20 th century, research in the National Health Service (NHS) was criticized for being undertaken in “piecemeal fashion” (Ball et al., 2016, 34). The research was also criticized for being undertaken without a strategy or clear leadership. To address these criticisms, the NHS started to undertake priority-setting activities. With the help of academic professionals, NHS identified the gaps in research in order to make informed funding decisions. However, the public was not involved in these discussions. In addition, the patient voice was absent. As a result, people started to criticize NHS for not focusing on research and development funding where it was needed. This led to the establishment of the “National Institute of Nursing Research” (NINR) (Ball et al., 2016, 34).
The NINR was established to enhance coordination in research funding in nursing (Ball et al., 2016). This government agency was also established to ensure that the findings of health or nursing research could be applied to improve health care outcomes of the people or communities they serve. The NIHR, together with other government agencies, have been active in view of how to prioritize health research funding. They have also outlined the need to involve people they serve, which includes patients and the general public.
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The NINR’s aim is “To promote and improve the health of individuals, families, and communities” (NINR, n.p., n.d). The nursing research priorities identified by the NINR and other government agencies reflect the interests of the nursing profession. The priorities also reflect the interests of the major funding agency dedicated to nursing. This helps ensure nursing research is not conducted in a “piecemeal fashion,” as it used to be in the 1990s. It also helps ensure nursing research is undertaken with strategy and clear leadership. Therefore, I agree with NINR’s nursing research priorities. The nursing research priorities put in place by the NINR ensures that nursing researchers and other researchers are able to focus their research studies on the major research topics that help in providing effective health services.
How Nursing Research Priorities Affect Nursing Researchers
Nursing research priorities reflect the commitment of nursing researchers and researchers from other healthcare professions to improve health outcomes. In addition, it reflects the nursing’s commitment to the critical significance of founding nursing practice on research. Priorities affect nursing researchers in a number of ways. First, priorities help ensure nursing researchers succeed in their research by ensuring the researchers focus their research on a specific aim to help improve the health and well-being of populations. Nursing research priorities are updated frequently and published by the NINR. The updates outline priority areas for nursing research. This helps nursing researchers focus their research on prioritized topics. In terms of resources allocation, priorities help nursing researchers focus on specific aims, which, in turn, help ensure resources are distributed accordingly when undertaking the research.
The EBP –Criteria
Evidence-based practice (EBP) refers to the integration of clinically relevant studies, scientific knowledge, and a patient’s values and preferences. Through EBP, nurses are able to provide individualized care to all patients. Clinicians or nurses ought to have a clear understanding of EBP, as well as the levels of evidence. It helps them ascertain the level of confidence they should place on a study, report or practice when determining the effective course of action care delivery. Different kinds of research are used in EBP. This includes randomized controlled trials, observation studies, or case-control analysis, opinions from a health care professional, and personal experience (Burns et al., 2011). It is vital to note that the opinion from health experts must be supported by relevant research studies and experiences.
For a practice to be considered EBP, it must rely on scientific evidence. More specifically, the evidence that clinicians or nurses use for guidance and decision-making must be obtained from relevant research. DiCenso (2014) defines “best research evidence” as one that is “ methodologically sound, clinically relevant research about the effectiveness and safety of nursing interventions, the accuracy and precision of nursing assessment measures, the power of prognostic markers, the strength of causal relationships, the cost-effectiveness of nursing interventions, and the meaning of illness or patient experiences” (5). In addition, EBP ought to integrate the well-being and circumstance of a patient, as well as the values and preferences of the patient.
In nursing, there are many examples of EBPs. One of the nursing practices that is considered EBP is the practice of measuring blood pressure (BP) noninvasively in children. In clinical settings, nurses are encouraged to measure BP, according to EBP. This is EBP usually result in accurate measurements, and this is vital for effective treatment. The procedures used to measure blood pressures in children and adults differ. In nursing, the auscultatory method is often used to measure blood pressure in children. The measurement obtained using this method is then compared to the data gathered using a different method, such as the oscillometric method. The third example is the use of oxygen in patients suffering from the “chronic obstructive pulmonary disease” (COPD). This EBP help prevents a number of health complications associated with COPD, such as hypoxia and organ failure in COPD patients.
The Role of Quality in EBP
Quality plays a crucial role in EBP. Batalden & Davidoff (2007 define quality improvement (QI) as “the combined and unceasing efforts of everyone – healthcare professionals, patients and their families, researchers, payers, planners and educators – to make the changes that will lead to better patient outcomes (health), better system performance (care) and better professional development” (2). EBP and QI are complimentary. While EBP justifies clinical decisions with evidence, QI is “translational;” putting EBP into practice in hospitals and other health care settings (Batalden & Davidoff, 2007, 2).
To significantly impact the improvement of quality in nursing, nurses, and other health care professions need to apply EBP. Without EBP, hospitals are at risk for variances in care, and this may have a significant effect on patient outcomes. Medical practice is dependent on the application of the latest and most relevant research. With the application of EBP, nurses are able to use efficacious and safe methods of treatment. This improves patient outcomes and the quality of healthcare delivery. Thus, quality plays a significant role in EBP.
Conclusion
Conclusively, the NIHR has been active in considering how to prioritize health research funding. The agency has outlined nursing research priorities to ensure nursing researchers focus their research studies on the major research topics that help in providing effective health services. With regard to EBP, there are several criteria that must be met for a practice to be considered EBP. First, the practice must rely on scientific evidence. Also, it must incorporate a patient’s clinical state, setting, circumstance, values and preferences. Lastly, quality plays a significant role in EBP. Quality improves health care outcome, improves system performance and leads to better professional development.
References
Ball, J., Ballinger, C., De Iongh, A., Dall’Ora, C., Crowe, S., & Griffiths, P. (2016). Determining priorities for research to improve fundamental care on hospital wards. Research Involvement and Engagement , Vol. 2 (1), 31-48.
Batalden, P. B., & Davidoff, F. (2007). What is “quality improvement” and how can it transform healthcare? BMJ Quality and Safety, Vol. 16 (1): 2-3
Burns, P. B., Rohrich, R. J., & Chung, K. C. (2011). The levels of evidence and their role in evidence-based medicine. Plastic and reconstructive surgery , Vol. 128 (1), 305-310.
DiCenso, A., Guyatt, G., & Ciliska, D. (2014). Evidence-Based Nursing-E-Book: A Guide to Clinical Practice . Elsevier Health Sciences.
NINR. (n.d). Mission & strategic plan. https://www.ninr.nih.gov/aboutninr/ninr-mission-and-strategic-plan
