Research and Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing: Evolution, Distinctions, and Ethical Considerations
Overview
This paper examines the evolution of research in nursing since Florence Nightingale's era, distinguishing between research and evidence-based practice (EBP) while exploring how research supports EBP. It addresses a historical unethical breach in research conduct through the Tuskegee Syphilis Study and discusses ethical considerations for protecting research participants.
What this essay covers
- Evolution of nursing research from Florence Nightingale era through the 1950s and development of educational programs focused on nursing-specific problems
- Differentiation between research as knowledge development and EBP as application of best evidence in clinical decisions, with discussion of their complementary relationship
- Analysis of the Tuskegee Syphilis Study as an unethical breach and incorporation of participant protection as an ethical research consideration
Preview
Research and Evidence Based-Practice (EBP)
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Explain how research has evolved since the Florence Nightingale era.
In the nursing profession, the research culture has been evolving since the period of Florence Nightingale. The International Council of Nurses (ICN, 2012) defines evidence based-practice (EBP) as a professional approach intended to reduce theory to practice gap. There has been a perception where the nursing profession was viewed as an apprenticeship. However, in the 1950s, nursing research started to advance. Nightingale, for instance, began to apply statistics in understanding patients' mortality and morbidity. The number of deaths was compared between healthcare organizations and used to evaluate patient outcomes. Research has evolved as educational programs are developed to address a particular nursing perspective. These programs assist students to focus on nursing problems and concepts instead of medical problems and concepts.
Discuss how research and EBP are different; include how you believe research supports EBP for nursing.
Research is about the development of new knowledge in a particular discipline, such as nursing. EBP, on the other hand, ensures that the best medical evidence is applied in patient-care decisions (Mick, 2015). Based on the two, EBP is focused on evidence currently being applied in managing certain medical conditions, whereas research centers on discovering new concepts and methodologies in nursing. Research, however, compliments EBP because it provides factual information on a particular condition to facilitate an effective EBP.