Construct. when concepts have been developed, created, or adopted for use with a specific theory. Variable.

A theory is a set of interrelated constructs (concepts), definitions, and propositions that present a systematic view of phenomena by specifying relations among variables, with the purpose of explaining and predicting the phenomena.

According to Rappoport (2004), theory informs practice, as it provides insight into interpreting behavior contextually and for the generation of an alternative way for new settings. Theories inform practice in the form of function, and for them to develop, their background is needed.

How are theory and practice interrelated for the hospital-based nurse researcher? Practice provides the opportunity to test theory. When reading a report of results of a nursing research study, the nurse notices that the theoretical framework is drawn from a discipline other than nursing.

Evidence based nursing practice is the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of theory-derived, research-based informa- tion in making decisions about care delivery to individuals or groups of patients and in consideration of individual needs and preferences.

Adopt an Evidence-Based Practice Model to Facilitate Practice Change

• Ask: Identify a clinical problem.
• Attain: Review relevant literature.
• Appraise: Critically appraise evidence.
• Apply: Evaluate the need for practice change and potential implementation.
• Assess: Evaluate outcomes.

Other theoretical Models Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care© Stetler Model of Research Utilization. ACE Star Model of Knowledge Transformation. ARCC Model: Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration Model.

Steps in the Process

• ASSESS the patient. Start with the patient; determine a clinical problem or question that arises from the care of the patient.
• ASK a focused clinical question.
• ACQUIRE evidence to answer the question.
• APPRAISE the quality of the evidence.
• APPLY the evidence to patient care.
• EVALUATE.

Ask a clinical question. The first step in the EBP process is to phrase your scenario as a specific, answerable question: Ask a well-built clinical question. This will help you to focus on the key issues and identify what evidence you need to answer your question.

Rationale: The six steps of evidence-based practice are: ask a clinical question; collect the most relevant and best evidence; critically appraise the evidence you gather; integrate all evidence with one’s clinical expertise and patient preferences and values in making a practice decision or change; evaluate the …

The EBP process has five basic steps: (1) formulating the clinical question, (2) searching efficiently for the best available evidence, (3) critically analyzing evidence for its validity and usefulness, (4) integrating the appraisal with personal clinical expertise and clients’ preferences, and (5) evaluating one’s …

Both systems place randomized controlled trials (RCT) at the highest level and case series or expert opinions at the lowest level. The hierarchies rank studies according to the probability of bias. RCTs are given the highest level because they are designed to be unbiased and have less risk of systematic errors.

Key Steps of Evidence-Based Practice ASK the answerable clinical question. ACQUIRE the most relevant and best evidence to answer the question. APPRAISE the evidence critically for validity, relevance, and applicability. APPLY the evidence, along with critical expertise and the patient’s preferences and values.

What is Evidence-Based Practice? EBP is “the conscientious, explicit and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of the individual patient. It means integrating individual clinical expertise with the best available external clinical evidence from systematic research”.

Disadvantages of evidence-based practice include the shortage of evidence, the oversight of common sense, and the length of time and difficulty of finding valid credible evidence. Basing practice on evidence requires there to be some kind of evidence on your disease, issue, or question.

The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) ensures that clinical practice is based on sound evidence and patients benefit as a result. Using EBP also results in more consistent clinical recommendations and practice across the health service.

5 steps of Evidence Based Practice

1. Ask a question.
2. Find information/evidence to answer question.
3. Critically appraise the information/evidence.
4. Integrate appraised evidence with own clinical expertise and patient’s preferences.
5. Evaluate.

The goal of EBP is not to improve the population level health outcomes but to give the patient information, based on the evidence as well as the clinician’s experience and expertise, to help the patient make a choice based on his or her values and preferences.

To effectively apply the EBP process, in addition to the basic skills required to undertake nursing work, a nurse must have the ability to: (1) identify knowledge gaps, (2) formulate relevant questions, (3) conduct an efficient literature search, (4) apply rules of evidence to determine the validity of studies, (5) …

Ask many questions and observe student responses; questions allow students to connect new material with prior learning. Provide models such as step-by-step demonstrations or think alouds to work out the problem. Guide student practice by asking good questions and providing feedback.

Described as “a problem-solving approach to clinical care that incorporates the conscientious use of current best practice from well-designed studies, a clinician’s expertise, and patient values and preferences,”1(p335) evidence-based practice (EBP) has been shown to increase patient safety, improve clinical outcomes.