ESSAY: Theory and models when implementing change in EBP

Why is it important to incorporate a theory or model related to change when implementing practice changes? Does the benefit of incorporating a change model outweigh the time and effort it took to include it?

Consider an obstacle or barrier to the implementation of evidence-based practice you identified in last week’s discussion. What are two ways to address this problem?

Problem identified was Common barriers to implementation of evidence-based practice are the time required for effective application, uncertainty, and resistance from the affected actors. Evidence-Based practice requires that the nurses are educated effectively, and new treatment tools are acquired. An education program will automatically reduce the time spent by the healthcare practitioners providing care. Therefore, most practices tend to rush the implementation process to cut on time spent, which affects the overall outcome of EBP. Time barrier can be solved by using a slow implementation technique that allows the nurses to learn about evidence-based practice while at the same time delivering their healthcare services.
Uncertainty also makes it impossible to implement the process effectively. Most individuals lack knowledge about EBP, which includes, appraising and critiquing the information related to health problems being presented (Williams, Perillo & Brown, 2015). The barrier can be tackled by ensuring the healthcare providers acquire proper knowledge about the process before putting it into practice.

ANSWER

Theory and Models When Implementing Change in EBP

Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is an approach used in solving problems associated with clinical practice as well as encouraging nurses to give individualized care to patients. Application of EBP leads to better outcomes from patients and this in return decreases the wastage of healthcare resources (Profetto, 2005).  EBP seeks to improve the outcomes in patients and the processes of administering care. To transform health care, there is a need to redesign care to be efficient and effective. Providing the guidelines for EBP requires significant amounts of time compared to the assembly of the evidence. The timeline for the program should be adjusted in …

Resistance is among the barriers to EBP change. Organizational behavior research has indicated that it is difficult to change how people have got used to completing tasks. Their ways become a culture and to change the practice is similar to changing behavior. To realize effective change, the nurses should be willing to accept change and also be ready to persevere. The administration should give the necessary support and develop the culture which will support EPB (Melnyk, 2002). It is necessary to have more education to teach the practitioners on why and how they can incorporate research in the practice. Lack of knowledge is also a major barrier in EBP implementation. This can be as a result of the unavailability of guidelines for research and publications. Institutions have the responsibility to provide the resources for the nurses such as access to the internet McKenna, Ashton & Keeney, 2004). The leadership of organizations should be at the forefront in promoting evidence based practice by involving the healthcare practitioners in the decision making processes from early on. Change is indeed inevitable and preparing…

References

McKenna, H. P., Ashton, S., & Keeney, S. (2004). Barriers to evidence‐based practice in primary care. Journal of advanced nursing, 45(2), 178-189.

Melnyk, B. M. (2002). Strategies for overcoming barriers in implementing evidence-based practice. Pediatric Nursing, 28(2), 159.

Profetto-McGrath, J. (2005). Critical thinking and evidence-based practice. Journal of Professional Nursing, 21(6), 364-371.

Titler, M. G., Kleiber, C., Steelman, V. J., Rakel, B. A., Budreau, G., Everett, L. Q., … & Goode, C. J. (2001). The Iowa model of evidence-based practice to promote quality care. Critical care nursing clinics of North America, 13(4), 497-509.