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 two barriers that might hold nursing practice from achieving this goal and suggest ways in which identified barriers may be addressed. Purchase the answer to view it
Achieving a 90% evidence-based practice (EBP) rate by 2020, as outlined by the Institute of Medicine (IOM), poses significant challenges for nursing practice in the United States. EBP is essential to providing high-quality, patient-centered care and improves healthcare outcomes. However, several barriers impede the widespread adoption of EBP among nurses. This paper will discuss two significant barriers and propose strategies for addressing them.
One of the barriers hindering the achievement of the 90% EBP goal is the limited access and availability of evidence-based resources and guidelines. Nurses often encounter difficulties in accessing up-to-date evidence due to various reasons, such as financial constraints, restricted institutional subscriptions, and lack of awareness regarding available resources. This limited access restricts nurses’ ability to stay current with the latest evidence, leading to a reliance on outdated practices.
To address this barrier, healthcare organizations should prioritize investments in evidence-based resources and provide nurses with unrestricted access to these resources. Establishing partnerships with academic institutions and medical libraries can facilitate access to peer-reviewed journals, clinical trials, and systematic reviews. Additionally, healthcare organizations can develop institutional repositories or digital libraries to consolidate evidence-based resources and make them easily accessible to nurses. By enhancing resource availability, nurses will be empowered to engage in evidence-based decision-making and contribute to the achievement of the 90% EBP goal.
Another significant barrier to achieving the desired EBP rate is the limited research literacy among nurses. Research literacy refers to the ability to understand, evaluate, and apply research findings to clinical practice. Despite the growing emphasis on evidence-based nursing, many nurses still lack sufficient training and education in research methods and critical appraisal skills. This deficit hampers their ability to critique and utilize evidence effectively.
Addressing this barrier requires targeted educational interventions. Nurse education programs should incorporate research and evidence-based practice courses, ensuring that nurses acquire essential research literacy skills during their education and training. Continuing education programs and professional development opportunities should also focus on enhancing research literacy among practicing nurses. Offering workshops, webinars, and online courses on research appraisal, statistical analysis, and evidence synthesis can equip nurses with the necessary skills to critically evaluate research findings. Moreover, mentorship programs can provide guidance and support to nurses who seek to strengthen their research literacy.
In conclusion, achieving the IOM’s goal of 90% evidence-based practice by 2020 is a formidable task for nursing practice in the United States. Two significant barriers hindering the attainment of this goal are limited access to evidence-based resources and guidelines and inadequate research literacy among nurses. Strategies such as investing in evidence-based resources, facilitating access to peer-reviewed journals, and promoting research literacy through education and professional development can help address these barriers. By overcoming these obstacles, nurses will be better equipped to provide high-quality, patient-centered care based on the best available evidence.