Module Components

• Learning Activities

Topics

• Decisions Making Overview
• Research
• Patient Preferences
• Clinician Expertise and Context

NRSG 790-Methods for Research and Evidence-Based Practice

Module 12: Practice Decision Making

Decisions Making Overview

Evidence-based practice and translation science are not interchangeable terms; EBP is the application of evidence in practice (the doing of EBP), whereas translation science is the study of implementation interventions, factors, and contextual variables that affect knowledge uptake and use in practices and communities.

Evidence is only one factor for consideration in the EBP decision making process. Effective EBP strategies require the consideration of multiple factors to reach the best decision. The primary factor for consider will vary depending on the decision that being made.

• EBP is making a decision about how to best promote health
• Decision are made by incorporating evidence, with clinician expertise and patient preferences
• Decision are made with consideration to resources and organizational contex.

Experts external to organizations may determine an intervention to be best-practice according to the evidence; however internal stakeholders may adopt a different perception of the same evidence.

• The organization’s perception of the evidence will largely determine implementation
• Consideration of patient preferences and resources is central to success
• Acceptance, reward, and support are also determinants of success

Questions to answer as you consider decision making:

1. How exactly will you and your organization go about implementing your evidence-based practice?
2. What can you do to promote access to information about evidentiary-based best practice?
3. What can you do to assure that requisite knowledge, skills and resources are in place to translate evidence successfully?