Ebp Vs Evidence Based Research

Research Utilization versus EBP Week 2 NUR 598

Introduction

For many years, nursing practice has been interested in using research in impacting care to individuals as well as groups. Regardless of the incentives in conducting research, there is nothing that can be compared to the difference it can make in the lives of patients and the betterment of their health. Though the two are related, it is from research utilization that evidence based research evolved with much emphasis to the latter. While both methods are used in the decision making process, the nurse in practice is held accountable for actions and nursing interventions. Therefore, both processes are geared towards bridging the gap between knowledge discovery and its use in practice.

This process was developed in order to address difficulties nursing practitioners faced by using research findings. The process can be defined as a multi step method that integrates critiquing and synthesizing findings from various studies and application of such findings in making changes in nursing practice. Additionally, it involves the measurement of outcomes derived from changes in nursing practice thereby having a narrower focus than evidence based research (Betz, et al. 2005).

Evidence Based Research

This form of research focuses on research findings, the quality improvement of data as well as other data evaluation forms. In addition, it looks into expert opinions in the identification of ways of improvement. However, this method poses a challenge in the identification of exact differences between research and evidence based practice. Evidence based research is used in closing the gap between research done and the actual practice by challenging nursing practitioners to look at the reasons behind current methods as well as processes in getting better practices (Titler et al., 2001).

Identified Similarities and Differences in EBP and Research

It is therefore important to understand how to frame the topic, open a discussion, identify underlying concerns, choose a direction, synthesize final proposal and make a closure. All these must be done with the inclusion of the patient as a stakeholder. When poorly done, communicating the position statement may result in satisfaction of the least denominator but lack in the desired outcome.

According to Burns, Grove and Gray (2012), depending on the situation, the position statement may be communicated with the consent of the patient or without when they are incapacitated. There are other factors such as family or religious background among others that require the practitioner to exercise caution in dissemination of information. Therefore, there is no universally appropriate method because different situations call for different approaches that require personal discretion and intelligence.