The Institute of Medicine has stated a goal that 90% of practice be evidence-based by 2020. According to HealthyPeople.gov, the United States is currently at approximately 15%. Discuss that might hold Nursing Practice from achieving this goal, and in which identified barriers may be addressed. Purchase the answer to view it
Achieving the goal of 90% evidence-based practice in nursing by 2020, as stated by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), is an ambitious target that requires careful consideration of the barriers that currently exist. Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing involves integrating the best available evidence from research, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to guide decision-making and improve patient outcomes. However, several factors impede the widespread adoption of EBP in nursing, such as organizational, educational, and cultural barriers.
One of the significant barriers to EBP in nursing is the lack of resources within healthcare organizations. The implementation of evidence-based practices often requires financial investments, such as subscribing to research databases, providing ongoing training and education, and employing dedicated staff to support the integration of research evidence into practice. Many healthcare organizations face constraints in their budgets and struggle to allocate resources towards these endeavors. As a result, nurses may not have access to the most up-to-date research evidence or the necessary support to implement EBP effectively.
Additionally, the organizational culture within healthcare settings can impede the adoption of EBP. Nurses often work in rigid hierarchical structures that value tradition and experience over evidence. A culture that does not encourage or support questioning the status quo can hinder the adoption of EBP. The lack of autonomy and empowerment among nurses can further exacerbate this barrier as nurses may feel restricted in their ability to implement evidence-based changes or challenge current practices.
Another significant barrier is the limited research literacy and skills among nurses. Many nurses receive limited education and training in research methods and evidence-based practice during their undergraduate programs. Without the necessary knowledge and skills to critically appraise research studies and implement evidence-based interventions, nurses may struggle to confidently integrate research evidence into their practice. This barrier underscores the importance of ongoing professional development and educational opportunities to enhance research literacy among nurses.
Furthermore, the prevailing nursing education curriculum often fails to adequately address EBP. Many nursing programs focus on teaching clinical skills and foundational knowledge, rather than placing emphasis on research-based practice. As a result, newly graduated nurses may lack the foundational knowledge and skills necessary to engage in EBP. Incorporating evidence-based practice principles into nursing education through dedicated courses, clinical experiences, and mentorship can help address this barrier and prepare future nurses to embrace EBP.
Closely tied to educational barriers are the challenges associated with the dissemination and accessibility of research evidence. Despite advancements in technology, many research articles remain behind paywalls, making them inaccessible to nurses who do not have access to a robust research library. Furthermore, research articles are often written in complex and technical language, making them difficult for nurses without a research background to understand. Promoting open-access publishing and developing user-friendly resources, such as plain-language summaries and clinical practice guidelines, can improve the accessibility and usability of research evidence for nurses.
Another barrier to the adoption of EBP is the resistance to change among healthcare professionals. EBP requires a shift in mindset and a willingness to challenge established practices. Resistance to change can stem from fear of the unknown, lack of confidence, or a belief that current practices are effective. Overcoming this barrier requires education and a change management framework to help nurses understand the benefits of EBP and build their confidence in implementing evidence-based interventions.
In conclusion, achieving the goal of 90% evidence-based practice in nursing by 2020 faces several barriers that need to be addressed. These barriers include limited resources within healthcare organizations, organizational culture that does not promote EBP, limited research literacy and skills among nurses, inadequate nursing education curriculum, limited accessibility of research evidence, and resistance to change. By addressing these barriers through increased resource allocation, fostering a culture of questioning and learning, improving research literacy and skills among nurses, enhancing nursing education curriculum, improving access and usability of research evidence, and promoting change management strategies, the goal of 90% evidence-based practice in nursing can be more realistically achieved.