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. 300 WORDS, MINIMUM OF 1 REFERENCE. NO PLAGIARISM PLEASE
Introduction
The goal of achieving evidence-based practice in nursing remains a challenge, as the United States currently lags far behind the recommended target set by the Institute of Medicine. To address this issue, it is imperative to identify the barriers that hinder the adoption of evidence-based practice in nursing. This paper will discuss two main barriers and propose potential strategies to overcome them, thereby facilitating the achievement of the Institute of Medicine’s goal of 90% evidence-based practice by 2020.
Barriers to Achieving Evidence-Based Practice
1. Lack of Research Utilization Skills
One significant barrier to achieving evidence-based practice in nursing is the lack of research utilization skills among healthcare professionals. Many nurses may not possess the necessary knowledge and skills to critically appraise and synthesize research findings, making it challenging to incorporate evidence into their practice. This barrier can stem from various factors, such as inadequate research education during professional training, limited access to continuing education programs, and a lack of organizational support for research utilization.
2. Resistance to Change
Resistance to change is another crucial barrier to evidence-based nursing practice. Healthcare professionals, including nurses, may be resistant to adopting new practices due to a variety of reasons, such as fear of increased workload or skepticism about the relevance and applicability of research findings to their specific patient population. Additionally, resistance to change may also arise from ingrained habits and routines that are deeply ingrained in organizational culture, making it difficult for nurses to deviate from traditional practices.
Addressing Identified Barriers
1. Enhancing Research Education and Training
To address the first barrier of the lack of research utilization skills, it is essential to focus on enhancing research education and training for nurses. Nursing educational institutions should prioritize evidence-based practice and research education throughout their curriculum, ensuring that students develop the necessary competencies in critical appraisal, research synthesis, and application. Additionally, continuing education programs and professional development opportunities should be readily available to practicing nurses, enabling them to update and improve their research utilization skills over time.
Healthcare organizations can play a vital role in supporting research utilization by providing resources and incentives for nurses to engage in research-related activities. This can include funding for research education programs, access to journals and databases, and dedicated time for nurses to participate in research activities. Furthermore, organizational leaders should foster a culture that values and encourages evidence-based practice, emphasizing its importance in improving patient outcomes and quality of care.
2. Overcoming Resistance to Change
To address the second barrier of resistance to change, strategies need to be implemented to engage and motivate nurses to embrace evidence-based nursing practice. One effective approach is the use of knowledge translation frameworks, such as the Promoting Action on Research Implementation in Health Services (PARiHS) framework. This framework focuses on three key elements: evidence, context, and facilitation. It emphasizes the need to align research evidence with the organizational context and use facilitation strategies to support the implementation process.
Additionally, involving nurses in the research process can help overcome resistance to change. By actively engaging nurses in research projects, they become vested stakeholders and are more likely to embrace and champion evidence-based practice. Collaborative partnerships between researchers and nurses can promote knowledge sharing and co-creation, ensuring that research findings are relevant and applicable to the nursing practice.
Conclusion
Achieving evidence-based practice in nursing remains a significant goal that the United States is struggling to meet. Two main barriers, the lack of research utilization skills and resistance to change, hinder the effective adoption of evidence-based practice. To overcome these barriers, it is crucial to enhance research education and training, support research utilization through organizational resources and incentives, and employ knowledge translation frameworks to address resistance to change. By implementing these strategies, nurses can be empowered to integrate the best available evidence into their daily practice, leading to improved patient outcomes and the realization of the Institute of Medicine’s goal of 90% evidence-based practice by 2020.