Abstract This paper looks at what evidence-basedpractice is and how it is applied to drug rehab programs. It looks at programs both in the United States and the United Kingdom and how evidence-basedpractice is being used in both places.
From the Paper "Evidence-based practice refers to programs and practices that have been proven to be successful in practice through research and that have produced consistently reliable results. Waters "These are programs which have been shown to be most effective in treating..."
Abstract This paper analyzes evidencebasedpractice with regards to nursing. In other words, nursing students engaged in evidence-basedpractice must rely on previous research and scientific findings to develop protocols for caring for patients that are most likely to result in a positive outcome.
Contents:
EvidenceBasedPractice - Analysis
Predictive Accuracy of the HESI Exit Exam - Article 1
From the Paper "Evidence based practice can be used in nursing to help nursing staff develop (1) effective methods of care, (2) design interventions that are evidence based that apply to a patients specific needs and can (3) enable better follow up care based on evidence based results. Evaluating previous evidence enables nursing staff to make decisions grounded in evidence rather than theory, thus improving the likelihood of a positive patient outcome.
When in a nursing program, the best way to begin having an evidence based practice includes reviewing previous cases and evidence regarding certain health situation. A nursing student should take great care to survey all available research regarding a particular case, condition or situation. From this evidence the student can draw conclusions that are most likely to lead to efficient care and a positive patient outcome. "
Tags: students, nurse, care, patients, Alzheimer, health
An analysis of the strengths and limitations of Sandra Tanenbaum's research article, "Evidence-basedPractice in MentalHealth: Practical Weaknesses meet Political Strengths."
Abstract This paper discusses Sandra Tanenbaum's research article, "Evidence-basedPractice in MentalHealth: Practical Weaknesses meet Political Strengths." It assesses the merits of the article as well as its potential problems. The paper analyzes all the aspects of the research study and then enumerates its strengths and limitations.
Table of Contents:
Problem
Purpose of the Study
Research Questions
Study Design
Subjects and Setting
Data Collection Methods
Data Analysis Procedures
Strengths and Limitations of the Research
From the Paper "Two of the major weaknesses in Tanenbaum's study are in her selection of evidence and the overall lack of descriptive information concerning her methods. The limitation of evidence selection is not unique to Tanenbaum's research but is instead a major problem associated with all literature-based qualitative research papers, as it is easy to see the selection of content as "cherry picking" specific items that support the author's point of view. As for the second limitation, Tanenbaum places the majority of descriptive information in the Abstract to her paper and this makes it difficult to assess the overall design of the study. It also makes it difficult to assess the validity of the study, and to that extent it is not known how or why the study is valid. However, as Tanenbaum provides a balanced presentation of materials, it can be inferred that the study is as valid as a qualitative research paper using an archival methodology can be. She also recommends that more research is needed in EBP, and points out areas in which this research can be attempted."
Abstract In this article, the writer presents an analysis of the implementation of evidence-basedpractice in a hospital setting. The writer provides an overview of evidence-basedpractice and its use in the hospital setting, to decide whether evidence-basedpractice is beneficial to the hospital setting or if another method of service might be equally acceptable. The writer proposes that evidenced-basedpractice is a mainstay of health and should be adopted by all healthcare professionals to provide the best possible outcome of healthcare.
Outline:
Abstract
Literature Review
Evidence-BasedPractice - Overview
Opposition to EvidenceBased Medicine
How to PracticeEvidence-Based Medicine
Will Evidence-Based Medicine Survive?
Conclusions/Discussion of Literature Review
From the Paper "However, it is important to sort out the good information from the bad, and that can happen when doctor adopt the practice involving evidence-based medicine. It is important note Rosenberg & Donald, that doctors not only gather or collect information but also appraise it to determine its relationship or the relevance this information has to the client or patient the physician plans to treat. The doctor is the person in the chain of healthcare that has the ability to help analyze information collected to assert which evidence proves it is based on best practices and which processes or evidence lack sustenance or verifiable results.
"There are according to the researchers multiple tables that one can use for evaluating articles that are candidates for providing evidence based material. Sometimes articles may be useful for assisting a single patient; however, if nothing else has worked, then this single article has much potential for changing the way people live."
Abstract The paper discusses articles by nurses who have contemplated the implications of EBP when applied to both nursing research and practice. The paper demonstrates how each author centers on specific aspects concerning EBP, which may be empirical, practical, or even political (macro) in nature. The paper discusses how the main concern about this new framework is its applicability to nursing practice; the authors agreed that EBP should not be implemented as a practicebased only on research information. The paper relates that EBP is not only criticized from an empirical and practical point of view, but for its political aspects as well.
Outline:
Introduction
Critical Discussions of Evidence-BasedPractice in Nursing
Summary/Conclusion
From the Paper "It is crucial, then, that a thorough look into nursing as a practice is conducted in order to assess the efficiency of nursing practice, based on both on its theoretical foundations and applications. Among the perspectives currently dominant and prevalent in the nursing profession is the utilization of evidence-based practice or EBP, which is defined as the "conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients" (Estabrooks, 1998:21)."
Abstract In this article the writer notes that evidenced-basedpractice (EBP) implies that decisions about treatment options will depend largely on evidence of their clinical effectiveness. Further, the writer explains that the major purpose of EBP is the elimination of the use of expensive, ineffective, or dangerous medical decision-making. This paper presents and analyzes alternatives that could potentially offer a solution to the issue of EBP gaps and barriers to effective health care. The writer concludes that there must be an improvement of the access that is seen where evidence-based resources are concerned and barriers must be eliminated when it comes to making EBP an integral part of the solution to the problem of better patient care and lower healthcare costs.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Problem Identification
Context of Issue
Issue Statement
The Stakeholders Involved
Policy Goal and Objectives
Evaluation Criteria
Policy Alternatives
Comparison and Conclusion
Alternatives
Result Analysis
Recommendation
References
From the Paper "Many patients today are not seeing the quality of care that they actually need, despite the fact that evidence-based practice (EBP) has been evolving. Patients are too often receiving inconsistent, wasteful, and even harmful interventions when it comes to nursing. There has been an increasing emphasis on the outcomes of patient care, and this is changing the focus of tasks, practices, and opinion-driven decisions to more of a focus on practices that are guided by evidence."
"There are, however, still some problems that remain unresolved, and these include the gap that is seen between evidence and practice, the unnecessary variations in practice, and the rising cost of healthcare, among others."
Abstract This paper defines evidence-based nursing and compares it to more traditional nursing practices. The paper extrapolates the emergence of and attitudes toward evidence-based nursing, and then suggests topics in the area of practice for exploration in further research study.
From the Paper "Evidence-based nursing is the new wave in nursing, which has spread widely in the United States in the past years. The national Guidelines Clearinghouse (NGC) is a comprehensive, database of evidence-based clinical practice guidelines and..."
Abstract This paper discusses a meta-analysis conducted on Ontario's Community MentalHealth Evaluation Initiative. The paper starts with the identification of the stakeholders, description of the program, evaluation design, evidence gathered, and conclusions reached by the evaluation. A set of 30 standards for assessing quality of evaluation activities is also done.
From the Paper "Meta-analysis of Ontario's Community Mental Health Evaluation Initiative Stakeholders The stakeholders are divided into CMHEI partners and the consumers, families and even community providers (Goering et al, 2004). The former consist of The Canadian Mental Health Association, Ontario, The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health (CAMH), The Ontario Mental Health Foundation and The Ontario Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care (Goering et al, 2004). The program operators collaborated and took a direct hand in conducting this evaluation, the objective of which was to "assess the effectiveness of community-based mental health services and supports, providing evidence to support future decisions about programs and service delivery" (p. 7)."
Abstract This paper offers an analysis of Princess Diana of Wales' 1993 speech on "Women and MentalHealth" using feminist criticism. In this article, the writer discusses the strong influence of the norms and practices of a patriarchal society on the psychological well being of women.
From the Paper "Presented at a conference for mental health professionals, Princess Diana's speech 'Women and Mental Health' at the most superficial level, highlighted the existence of the psychological difficulties experienced by women. However, at a deeper level, this speech also brought up to the surface the oppressive impact of the norms and practices of patriarchal society on the psychological well-being of women. To explore this issue further, the method of feminist criticism will be employed to analyze this artifact. More specifically the research question that will ... "
Abstract This paper presents a comparison of a mentalhealth program in Canada with a mentalhealth program in the U.S. The basis of the analysis is a three-part schema for examining social welfare programs.
From the Paper "This research compares a mental health program in Canada, the Nova Scotia Early Psychosis Program(NSEEP) in Halifax, Nova Scotia, with a mental health program in the United States, the University of Maryland School Mental Health Program (SMHP) in Baltimore, Maryland. The framework for the comparison of the two mental health programs is a three-part schema for examining social welfare programs..."
Abstract This paper discusses infant mentalhealth. It expands on the ability to assess issues relating to infant mentalhealth as opposed to the dynamic changes in child development or normal aggression, for example, in a 4 year old. The paper also focuses on career opportunities for the Developmental Specialist working within a pediatric or clinic setting.
From the Paper "Unfortunately, although a common assumption from years ago, still today many individuals - both practitioners and parents - still believe that infants do not have the capacity to feel pain, emotion or experience dysfunction related to mental health psychopathology (Frankel, Boyum & Harmon, 2004). Gradually, the literature and research is proving these individuals wrong. However, the onus is still on the practitioner to identify these issues in infants and children 5 years of age and younger within their care based on isolated 15-20 minute visits without having the proper training to do so (Minde, Tidmarsh & Hughes, 2001). Additionally, most of the time the practitioner spends those 15-20 minutes assessing sources of physical health or pathology (Minde, Tidmarsh & Hughes, 2001). Most children are not scheduled for all of their well-baby care visits which can further complicate the problems associated with trying to assess infant mental health. According to Keren, Feldman and Tyano (2001) "defining symptoms and ..."
Abstract This brief yet concise paper details recent research which has proven that unemployment causes, rather than merely results from, poor psychological health. A study in Great Britain revealed that unemployed individuals were approximately three times more likely, than employed people, to commit suicide. This paper examines the impact of unemployment on one's mentalhealth, including: Anxiety, depression, dissatisfaction with one's life, negative self-esteem and other emotional states have each been demonstrated in complex studies to be higher in unemployed people than in similar groups of employed people.
From the Paper "For many people, the stress of being unemployed is devastating. A recent study of more than 500,000 people in Great Britain revealed that people who said they were unemployed in a 1981 census were approximately three times more likely than employed people to commit suicide in the next decade. "Job loss seems to result in a serious erosion in people's sense of control and self-esteem," says William R. Avison, Ph.D., professor of sociology and leader of the University of Western Ontario study. Because control and self-esteem are two limitations of mental health, it is understandable that unemployment affects people so deeply, he argues."
Tags:mental, health, employment, labor, physical, depression, study, research
Abstract This paper discusses the role and contribution of nursing research to health care. The paper focuses on evidencebasedpractice in nursing and describes the importance of a nurse's involvement in research. The paper also acknowledges, however, the limitations that exist in attempting to answer all research questions with literature. It then discusses possibilities for overcoming the obstacles in the implementation of nursing research.
Table of Contents:
Roles of Nursing Research
Evidence-BasedPractice
From the Paper "Kurt Lewin's Change Theory can adequately describe the process necessary to overcome the obstacles in the implementation of nursing research. Lewin describes change can be induced in organizations or groups by first unfreezing prevalent cognitive concepts that affect perception of the new concept, relearning and refreezing the new concept (Schein, 2006). Unfreezing can begin by introducing new research in a series of lectures and symposia designed to highlight the current flaws in traditional practices and by emphasizing its strengths and limitations in order to redefine any preconceptions associated with it (Schein, 2006). Emphasis should also be placed on the success of other health care systems currently using it and its applicability to this hospital. Reinforcement of new evidence-based practices using group discussions serves to refreeze, re-evaluate and reset the prevailing norm to accept them as the new standard of care (Schein, 2006)."
Tags: literature, theory, evidence-based, practice
Abstract This paper acts as a critical analysis of evidence-basedpractice found in modern nursing. The article includes a descriptive history of evidence-basedpractices found in nursing. This paper also serves as a manner of critiquing this method of care. Before doing this, however, this paper establishes a working definition of evidencebased care and practice and how it evolves over time to become the modern practice it is today worldwide. This paper also discusses the impact such nursing practice has on patient care and the nursing profession. In doing this, the paper looks at all angles of the issue and provided different academic literature to support each point of view. This paper also searches for possible alternative methods that are acceptable in today's practices but also may be an offspring of this evidence-based nursing and care trend.
Contents
Introduction
Evidence-Based Nursing Description and Critique
Impact on Nursing Practice and Profession
Summary and Conclusion
From the Paper "The United States Agency for Health Care Policy and Research is also a leading developer of evidence-based medicine. Putting evidence-based methods into practice starts with the correct questions to ask and goes down a process of steps including: how to find the best practice and how to critical appraise the evidence for validity. This practice must take into the patient's unique situation and factor in these elements to start the research process for quality treatment. In this respect, nurses must be accountable for their known knowledge, expertise but also understanding of patient preference and scientific findings.
Still even with its long history, nursing was not recognized as a profession until Florence Nightingale published in her statistics and finding on nursing in 1860. It is her groundbreaking work that lead to clearly identifying nursing or naming nursing and evidence-based practices as a professional service for society."
Abstract This paper takes a look at evidence-basedpractice in the nursing world. This paper both presents and analyzes alternatives that could offer solutions to the gaps and barriers to effective health care that are seen in EBP. The paper discusses the mandating of curricula that stress the issue of EBP for accreditation of college and universities, concentrating on the improving of education within healthcare institutions, and doing nothing to change the present situation.
Outline:
Executive Summary
Problem Identification
Context of Issue
Social Factors
Economic Factors
Political and Legal Issues
Ethical Factors
Issue Statement
The Stakeholders Involved
Policy Goal and Objectives
Evaluation Criteria
Policy Alternatives
Comparison and Conclusion
Results Analysis
From the Paper "This issue is important mostly due to the stakeholders that are involved in it. These include not only the healthcare organizations and managed care organizations, but also the research community, nurses, and patients, as well as the legal systems and those that provide insurance for hospitals and their workers (Peterson, 2001). Because there are so many different stakeholders that are involved with the issue of EBP, the policy is shaped in many ways from different directions. Because of the lack of information regarding managed care organizations, the rights of patients, and other issues that involve EBP, finding out a great deal about it is somewhat difficult (Taft, 2001). However, an effort will be made to clarify as much as possible what rights the patient has under managed care, what nurses are doing about patient rights, and how EBP fits into the issue."
