NUR6052 Week 1 Discussion: Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice

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Discussion Assignment – PICOT and Evidence-Based Practice

Question

This discussion focuses on evaluating evidence-based practice (EBP) in a recent clinical experience and developing a PICOT question that could guide further research and practice improvement.

To Prepare

  • Reflect on a recent clinical experience in which care was provided to a patient.

  • Determine whether the care provided was based on evidence and research findings or mainly followed standard organizational procedures.

  • Consider how to identify whether a procedure or task is supported by research evidence.

  • Think about questions you have about a specific area of care, such as a clinical procedure or policy.

  • Review resources on formulating well-worded clinical questions and PICOT questions.

  • Reflect on barriers that may prevent the implementation of evidence-based practice in your clinical setting.

  • Identify one barrier and consider strategies for overcoming it.

By Day 3

Post a discussion that includes the following:

  1. Evaluate the use or lack of evidence-based practice in a recent clinical experience.

  2. Identify which aspects of the care delivered were based on evidence, and explain your reasoning.

  3. List your background questions related to the nursing topic.

  4. Develop and present your PICOT question.

  5. Critique how policies, procedures, or organizational culture may support or hinder the use of evidence-based practice.

  6. Identify one barrier to implementing EBP and explain how this barrier could be overcome within your organization.

How to Approach the Discussion

Step 1: Describe a Clinical Experience

Start by briefly describing a recent situation in clinical practice.
Explain:

  • The type of patient care provided

  • The procedure or policy involved

Then evaluate whether the care was evidence-based or simply followed routine practice.

Step 2: Identify Evidence-Based Elements

Explain which parts of the care were supported by research or clinical guidelines.
Provide reasoning such as:

  • clinical guidelines

  • published studies

  • professional practice standards

If the practice was not evidence-based, explain why.

Step 3: Write Background Questions

Background questions help you understand the topic more clearly.

Examples:

  • What are the best interventions for preventing pressure ulcers?

  • What evidence supports early patient mobility in hospitalized patients?

Step 4: Develop a PICOT Question

A PICOT question helps guide research and clinical decision-making.

PICOT stands for:

  • P – Patient or population

  • I – Intervention

  • C – Comparison

  • O – Outcome

  • T – Time

Example structure:

  • In [patient population], how does [intervention] compared to [comparison] affect [outcome] within [time]?

Step 5: Evaluate Organizational Support for EBP

Discuss whether the organization’s:

  • policies

  • procedures

  • workplace culture

support or limit the use of evidence-based practice.

Step 6: Identify a Barrier and Solution

Choose one barrier to EBP, such as:

  • lack of time

  • limited access to research

  • resistance to change

  • lack of training

Then explain how the barrier could be overcome, such as:

  • staff education

  • leadership support

  • improved access to research databases

  • EBP training programs

Sample Solution

Working in the intensive care unit (ICU) has being a very rewarding experience. As ICU nurses, we admit patients that are in the lowest point of their health and hopefully help them get better to heal. Unfortunately, we also see patients that have reached their lowest point because of cardiac arrest. The patients that do not regain consciousness after a successful resuscitation are put on a therapeutic hypothermia protocol.…..Click below to access the full sample solution (PDF)