NURS331 Evidence-Based Practice

Research dissemination is a written representation of project findings that happened at the end of an evidence-based practice research (McBride et al., 2008). Dissemination of nursing knowledge is vital especially for the advanced practice nurses. Traits such as being able to contribute, effectively use, as well as communicate knowledge to healthcare officers, policymakers and interdisciplinary colleagues to the public through publications, presentations and posters are paramount to the nursing profession.

The proposed topic is communication. It is essential to the patient safety, their health and well-being. Since nurses are the key people for the patient’s safety and care, it is their duty to initiate dialogue. However, as they take more complex responsibilities and care for the elderly and culturally diverse populations, it is vital for them to improve their communication skills. Without effective communication, errors that can cause the life of a patient can occur (Stuttaford et al., 2006). According to research, good communication is necessary especially when it comes to the outcome of the patient and professional development of the healthcare workers. For example, communication failure was a key factor in 30% of the malpractice cases done by CRICO strategies, a client safety body, examined over a period of five years. In one instance, a practising nurse failed to notify the doctor about the client’s drop in the level of RBCs plus abdominal pain following surgery which later resulted in the death of the patient. Another report by the joint commission showed that poor or lack of communication during patients transfer led to 80% of serious errors. According to McBride et al., (2008), proper communication is not only for patients but also health experts at large. The future of nursing program hence calls for nurses to become an integral part of healthcare system redesign. The program recommends that they work as collaborators with other medical experts. They (nurses) are advising healthcare policymakers, acting as leaders and solving problems and designing information technology. However, success in these fields depends entirely on communication with others.

When disseminating work in an organisation, it is essential to effectively communicate your strategic plan to other healthcare professionals and the patient(s) (Finkie et al., 2008). When implementing a plan, the extent of an organisation‘s communication strategy could either make/break the efforts. Since communication is a key driver of strategic progress, some sectors might find it necessary to create a communication plan because solid communication plan can ensure that communication is disseminated efficiently at every sector in an organisation. For better strategic communication, it would be wise present the strategic plan in different forms since different people absorb information differently.  For example, when a poster is used to convey communication, it may not be effective to people who are visually impaired. Else way, if you forward only an email to workers explaining the plan, individuals who ignore long emails will not be influenced. Hence, it would be wise to use a mix visual, audio, video and written communication so that everyone can learn about the plan in the best way they find it suitable for them. Stuttaford et al., (2006) holds that other strategies one can use to ensure information is disseminated effectively include; being creative with how you present you present your plans, defining your strategic terms, using clear language, allowing suggestions from others, and developing venues for bottom-up communication.

When it comes to timeline for dissemination, preparing to release the results needs to begin a moment prior to the outcome of the study is known. Specifically, dissemination is supposed to be conserved in a strategic communication planning process. However, planning ensures that study results are properly understood by every other party like the news media and trial participants. Also, the timeline for planning can vary from one study to the other (Mc Bride et al., 2008). For example, a single site trial operating with an institution, a dissemination strategy can be outlined in few hours and then extended with input from other workers. For the case of complex trials like trials at a different site, conducted by various organisations in different countries would require a detailed plan as well as resources.  However, disseminating activities, communications plus media strategy that are in the sharing research outcome is becoming of paramount to the research endeavours. Also, advocates have parnered in disseminating results, besides; they bridge the gap between civil society and scientists (Stuttaford et al., 2006).

Ultimately, it has been recognised that communication is essential in healthcare sector not only for the patient, but also for the nurses and other healthcare workers. However, disseminating of work in an organisation can ensure smooth operations and objectives are met.

References

Finke, E. H., Light, J., & Kitko, L. (2008). A systematic review of the effectiveness of nurse communication with patients with complex communication needs with a focus on the use of augmentative and alternative communication. Journal of clinical nursing, 17(16), 2102-2115.

McBride, T., Coburn, A., MacKinney, C., Mueller, K., Slifkin, R., & Wakefield, M. (2008). Bridging health research and policy: effective dissemination strategies. Journal of Public Health Management and Practice, 14(2), 150-154.

Stuttaford, M., Bryanston, C., Hundt, G. L., Connor, M., Thorogood, M., & Tollman, S. (2006). Use of applied theatre in health research dissemination and data validation: a pilot study from South Africa. Health:, 10(1), 31-45.