Evidence for Nursing: Research Concepts

EVIDENCE FOR NURSING Assessment Item 2: Understanding
research concepts
Intent
This assessment allows you to demonstrate your understanding of evidence based practice concepts and
processes and apply your knowledge to case studies.
Instructions
 Read the questions carefully and answer all parts of the questions.
 If required, provide references.
 Follow the word limits.
PART One: Evidence based practice concepts (17.5 marks)
1. According to the Registered Nurse Standards for Practice (2016), what is the role of evidence based
practice in the nursing profession? (100 words±10% , 4 marks). Needs referencing.
The role of evidence-based practice in nursing profession is to provide better quality clinical care so
that the health outcome of patients can be improved. Nurses are engaged in coordinating and provide safe
and quality of care. This includes comprehensive assessment, development of a plan, implementation and
evaluation of outcomes. (Nursing and Midwifery Board Ahpra, 2017). Nurses work in collaboration so that
better care can be provided to patient. They share a therapeutic and professional relationship with
individuals, families, patients and communities (Nursing and Midwifery Board Ahpra, 2017). Standard one
lays emphasis on that Nurses provide person-centred care to patients who are suffering from depression.
(Nursing and Midwifery Board Ahpra, 2017). Whereas, standard 2 reflects on engaging in effective
therapeutic and professional relationships. (Nursing and Midwifery Board Ahpra, 2017). Nurses Provide safe
environment, build up trust to achieve the best outcome. (Nursing and Midwifery Board Ahpra, 2017)
2. How can the Evidence Based Practice Model enhance nurses’ clinical decision-makings? (100 words±10%,
4 marks). Needs referencing.
The model is based on three aspects which enhances nurse’s clinical decision making. Firstly, clinical
expertise allows nurses to encounter with patients’ conditions and situations. It lays focus on that nurses
must be engaged in communicating effectively with patient so that better decision can be taken. (PMC,
2010). The second, Evidence helps in making effective use of knowledge arising from the clinical expertise
and research. it encourages nurses to be engaged and continue implement on new protocol guidelines to
help solve the conflict between patients and staff (Thompson etal. n.d.). Lastly, Patient preferences provides
direction for selecting treatment options and tailoring interventions. It also helps inform choices in clinical
decisions. (PMC, n.d.). Therefore, the model help nurses to make decision however, the complexity of
decision-making for nurses continues to increase in patient acuity and technological advances (PMC, 2018).
3. One of the components of Evidence Based Practice is consideration of the patient’s values and
preferences. What does this mean? Using an example, explain the importance of this component (100
words±10%, 4 marks). Needs referencing.
Patient’s values and preferences means providing services according to patients need. It further recognises
and helps patients share their unique preferences and allows to fully inform them for the available and
supporting options (VA gov, 2016). This includes disease prevention, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation.
In addition, this component encourages nurses to ensure that patients have a significant understanding of
these options by actively allowing them to be engage and feel safe with them (VA gov, 2016). This
component is important because it allows the nurses and patients to avoid creating conflict during
Evidence for Nursing Assessment 2: Understanding evidence based practice concepts 1

conversation, solving problems and generating better outcomes for them. For example, nurses work in the
competitive environment with different patients. They try their best to treat the patients according to their
needs through communicating with them. This also allows nurse to self-manage their time and collaborate
with other staff to further improve patient’s needs (PMC, 2013).
4. Reflecting on your last clinical placement or clinical work experience, explain four barriers and four
enablers (facilitators) to the implementation of evidence-based practice in the clinical settings? (100
words±10%, 4 marks).
On my last clinical placement, I came through few barriers such as limited peer support – where sometimes
lack of knowledge was a barrier when I needed help in medical terms, medications, and procedures of how
they were to be done. Communication is another barrier where it was difficult to communicate with some
patients as they did not understand the instructions and procedures I was trying to explain and what I
wanted them to do. I had to then break down the information for them to be able to understand and use
less of the jargon words and medical terms to make it easier. Understanding needs of patients and dealing
with them was also a difficult part as I was trying to work alone with them to get more hands on and get
more experience as possible and giving a handover at the end of shift. However, RN’s did help me get
through the shifts by explaining and helping what was needed to be done on the day, organising a shift
planner and ensuring patients safety is needed at all times. My Facilitator and the nursing unit manager also
help me throughout my placement where by analysing gaps in my perfomance.
5. Why are randomised controlled trials considered to be ‘higher level evidence’? (50 words±10%, 1.5
marks). Needs referencing
RCTs are assumed the highest level since they are designed to be unbiased and have less risk of systematic
errors. For example, by randomly allocating subjects to two or more treatment groups, these types of
studies also randomize confounding factors that may bias results. A case series or expert opinion is often
biased by the author’s experience or opinions and there is no control of confounding factors (PMC, 2012).
PART TWO: The case study (17.5 marks)
No need to use references in your answers to the questions below.
Read the article by Erkkila at al. (2011), titled ‘Individual music therapy for depression: randomised
controlled trial’. A copy of this article is in the Assessment 2 folder.
6. Can you trust the results of this study? What are the strengths and weaknesses of this paper? (Hint: refer
to the CASP for randomised controlled trials to guide you in the critical appraisal of this study) (200
words±10%, 9 marks).
The results from this study are trustworthy because it gives a rationale and systematic information about
clients dealing with depression. It is being related with musical therapy.
Evidence for Nursing Assessment 2: Understanding evidence based practice concepts 2