Evidence Based Practice

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APPRAISAL OF RESEARCH EVIDENCE FOR PRACTICE

The following assignment will evaluate three research articles. Throughout the assignment the writer will discuss and critically evaluate all three articles following a self-adaptation of Cormack’s (2000) pg:30 framework. The assignment aims to explain why nurses need to incorporate research evidence into their practice. The topic that will be discussed during the course of this assignment will be venous ulceration and the effects on healing. The assignment will describe how literature was retrieved and the strategy undertaken to select three research articles. The research articles will be discussed and critically appraised highlighting their strengths and limitations. Outlining the findings of the studies and how these can alter future nursing practice will then conclude this assignment. The writer will not attempt to decide which particular article is best as all three will have their own strengths and weaknesses.

Evidenced based practice (EBP) has been introduced into the National Health Service (NHS) so that the best possible evidence is used to inform decisions that affect and improve the quality of care that is provided for patients (Parahoo, 1997, pg:13-16). Appleby (1995) cited in McKenna et al (1999) pg:39-42 describes EBP as “A shift in the culture of healthcare provision away from basing decisions on opinion, past practice and precedent, toward making more use of research and evidence to guide clinical decision making.”

Parahoo (1997) pg:33 suggests that the main sources of knowledge which nurses use to guide their practice are tradition, intuition, experience and research. McKenna et al (1999) pg:39-42 highlights that only 15% of the care delivered to patients by nurses is based upon valid research.

The topic that will be discussed during the course of this assignment is venous ulceration

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