| Learning Objective #1: describe a new Evidence-Informed Nursing (EIN) model and how it is designed to enable registered nurses to support their decisions and/or action with appropriate evidence. | |||
| Learning Objective #2: appreciate the value of systems theory and methodologies in highlighting the key elements and associated systems and processes that constitute getting evidence into practice. |
In spite of a plethora of evidence-based nursing literature and numbers of
models /frameworks designed to facilitate its cause registered nurses continue
to struggle to use evidence to support their practice.
Aim
The research aimed to
develop a new and alternative Evidence-Informed Nursing (EIN) model designed to
facilitate evidence into practice.
Design
A Modified Whole Systems Theory (MWST) design
using Soft System Methodology (SSM) combining quantitative and qualitative
methods was the framework of choice for this research study.
Population, Sample
A probability sampling technique was used for
the qualitative aspect of the study where all 239 registered nurses had an
equal chance of participation
by completing and returned the Research
Awareness Questionnaire (RAQ) n = 149 (62%). A purposive sample of n=31 (30%)
of all grades of nursing staff participated in the six qualitative Focus Group
Interviews (FGI).
Methods
Date from the RAQ was entered into a Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) database where both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. A thematic analysis was undertaken of the FGI transcripts. Ethical approval was granted to undertake the study.
Findings
The re-presented EIN model unlike the original theoretical
EIN model clarified that evidence-based nursing is undoubtedly a complex system
comprising of several important attributes contained within six elements. These
are: professional accountability, informed decision-making, research awareness,
application of knowledge, evaluation and conditions affecting research
utilisation. The results confirmed that the EIN model is systems based by
possessing a clearly defined input; to encourage nurses to use evidence in
practice, throughput; facilitation about the processes associated with the six
elements and an output; improved standards of professional practice.
Conclusions
The EIN model offers a new and alternative framework for nursing colleagues to use and apply when faced with a real problem of getting evidence into practice.