EBP and the Theory-Practice Gap

EBP and the Theory-Practice Gap

Theory is used in health care and health care practices every day; however, most health care providers are unaware of its influence. By increasing your awareness of philosophy, science, and nursing theory, you are better able to recognize its application in daily practice. The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) models also help facilitate the implementation of research in clinical practice. This Discussion explores EBP as a strategy for bridging the theory-to-practice gap.To prepare:

• Reflect on this week’s Learning Resources, focusing on the interrelationship between theory, practice, and research and how evidence-based practice integrates this relationship.
• Consider the pros and cons of implementing EBP in nursing practice.
• Conduct additional research as necessary using credible websites and the Walden Library to better understand the benefits and concerns of EBP in clinical practice.

By Tuesday 08/01/17, post 550 words essay in APA format with 3 references from the list below, that include the level one headings as numbered below:

Post a cohesive response that addresses the following:

1)       Why would a focus on EBP be good for advanced nursing practice?

2)       What are some drawbacks?

Required Readings

McEwin, M., & Wills, E.M. (2014). Theoretical basis for nursing. (4th ed.). Philadelphia, PA: Wolters Kluwer Health.

Chapter 18, "Application of Theory in Nursing Practice"

 Chapter 18 examines the relationship between theory and nursing practice. It discusses how evidence-based practice provides an opportunity to utilize research and theory to improve patient outcomes, health care, and nursing practice.

Gray, J.R., Grove, S.K., & Sutherland, S. (2017). Burns and Grove’s the practice of nursing research: Appraisal, synthesis, and generation of evidence (8th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Saunders Elsevier.

Review Chapter 2, “Evolution of Research in Building Evidence-Based Nursing Practice”

Chapter 19, "Evidence Synthesis and Strategies for Evidence-Based Practice"

 This section of Chapter 19 examines the implementation of the best research evidence to practice.

Fineout-Overholt, E., Williamson, K., Gallagher-Ford, L., Melnyk, B., & Stillwell, S. (2011). Following the evidence: Planning for sustainable change. The American Journal Of Nursing, 111(1), 54–60.

This article outlines the efforts made as a result of evidence-based practice to develop rapid response teams and reduce unplanned ICU admissions.

Kleinpell, R. (2010). Evidence-based review and discussion points. American Journal of Critical Care, 19(6), 530–531.

This report provides a review of an evidence-based study conducted on patients with aneurismal subarachnoid hemorrhage and analyzes the validity and quality of the research.

Koh, H. (2010). A 2020 vision for healthy people. The New England Journal Of Medicine, 362(18), 1653–1656.

 This article identifies emerging public health priorities and helps to align health-promotion resources, strategies, and research.

Moore, Z. (2010). Bridging the theory-practice gap in pressure ulcer prevention. British Journal of Nursing, 19(15), S15–S18.

This article discusses the largely preventable problem of pressure ulcers and the importance of nurses being well-informed of current prevention strategies.

Musker, K. (2011). Nursing theory-based independent nursing practice: A personal experience of closing the theory-practice gap. Advances In Nursing Science, 34(1), 67–77.

This article discusses how personal and professional knowledge can be used in concert with health theories to positively influence nursing practice.

Roby, D., Kominski, G., & Pourat, N. (2008). Assessing the barriers to engaging challenging populations in disease management programs: The Medicaid experience. Disease Management & Health Outcomes, 16(6), 421–428.

This article explores the barriers associated with chronic illness care and other factors faced by disease management programs for Medicaid populations.

Sobczak, J. (2009). Managing high-acuity-depressed adults in primary care. Journal of the American Academy of Nurse Practitioners, 21(7), 362–370. doi: 10.1111/j.1745-7599.2009.00422.x

This article discusses a method found which positively impacts patient outcomes used with highly-acuity-depressed patients.

Thorne, S. (2009). The role of qualitative research within an evidence-based context: Can metasynthesis be the answer? International Journal of Nursing Studies, 46(4), 569–575. doi: 10.1016/j.ijnurstu.2008.05.001

The article explores the use of qualitative research methodology with the current evidence-based practice movement.

Optional Resources

Freeman, S., Lara, G., Courts, M., Wanzer, L., & Bibb, S. (2009). An evidence-based process for evaluating infection control policies. AORN Journal, 89(3), 489.

Levin, R., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B., Barnes, M., & Vetter, M. (2011). Fostering evidence-based practice to improve nurse and cost outcomes in a community health setting: A pilot test of the advancing research and clinical practice through close collaboration model. Nursing Administration Quarterly, 35(1), 21–33.