Week 11: Translation and Application of Evidence
Imagine approaching this genial group of professionals to discuss a practice change initiative in their health care setting. How do you anticipate they would respond? How many would quickly lose the smile? How many would be interested but uncertain? How many eager to get started?
Translating evidence into action for quality improvement can be a particular hurdle, depending on the people and problems involved. However, as a DNP promoting evidence-based practice to improve patient care and outcomes, it is part of the process to anticipate the barriers and be willing to address them. Consider your own experience with change-makers in health care or other areas of importance to you. Advocacy is not always appreciated or welcomed, which is why it is so necessary to be prepared for pushback and be armed with strong evidence.
In this final week, think ahead to the realities of promoting practice change and the DNP role in creating an organizational culture that embraces translation and application of evidence for quality improvement.
Learning Objectives
Students will:
- Analyze challenges and barriers to the translation of evidence in health care organizations
- Recommend approaches to increasing translation and application of evidence for quality improvement in health care organizations
- Justify the DNP role in creating an organizational culture that enables translation and application of evidence for quality improvement
- Recommend advocacy and social change efforts for nursing practice through evidence-based practice quality improvement projects
Learning Resources
Required Readings (click to expand/reduce)
Discussion: Translation of Evidence and Application
- Based on your work in previous modules, you will wrap up the course with a Discussion on challenges in translating and applying evidence to implement a quality improvement initiative. Draw on your experience in your current or previous health care settings to consider specific barriers to address and opportunities to leverage in advocating for evidence-based practice quality improvement.
To prepare:
- Review the readings in the White, Dudley-Brown, and Terhaar text. With your current health care organization, or an organization you are targeting for your DNP Project, in mind, consider the area(s) of greatest challenge with regard to translating and applying evidence for a practice change initiative, e.g., leadership, technology, collaboration, stakeholder buy-in. Focus on the relevant text chapter(s) in your Discussion preparation.
- Consider theories and best practice recommendations for addressing your identified challenges and barriers to translating and applying evidence that would support practice change initiatives.
- Reflect on the philosophy of nursing practice that you developed in Modules 1–2. Consider your role as a DNP in creating an organizational culture that embraces evidence-based practice and quality improvement.
With these thoughts in mind …
By Day 3 of Week 11
Post an explanation of the challenges and barriers to translating and applying evidence for practice change in your target health care organization. Briefly explain your issue(s) of concern and describe specific approaches for addressing these challenges. Explain how you view your role as a DNP in creating a health care culture that promotes translation of evidence for quality improvement and explain why. Then, recommend actions and activities you could model and lead, including through an EBP QI project, to advocate for quality improvement and social change in nursing. Be specific and provide examples.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.
By Day 6 of Week 11
Respond to at least two colleagues on 2 different days by suggesting other theories, strategies, ideas, and/or best practices for addressing the challenges and barriers they identify. Also agree or disagree with their view of the DNP’s role in creating a culture that enables translation of evidence and support your reasoning, including with other actions that promote a culture that embraces translation of evidence. Cite sources to support your posts and to recommend to colleagues.
Note: For this Discussion, you are required to complete your initial post before you will be able to view and respond to your colleagues’ postings. Begin by clicking on the “Post to Discussion Question” link and then select “Create Thread” to complete your initial post. Remember, once you click on Submit, you cannot delete or edit your own posts, and you cannot post anonymously. Please check your post carefully before clicking on Submit!
