Translation Science Project in Nursing: Bridging Evidence and Practice

Introduction

This article aims to examine a specific nursing practice issue and present a case for an evidence-based remedy. The focus is primarily on translation science in nursing to bridge the gap between research findings and their use in practice. The practice issue discovered revolves around the effective combination of evidence-based therapies to improve patient outcomes. The paper aims to deliver a path for the fluid application of research findings in the clinical setting by navigating the domains of translation science. The ultimate objective is to provide a more efficient and well-informed healthcare delivery system by promoting a symbiotic link between scientific data and its practical influence on patient care. This will help to evolve nursing practices.

Practice Problem and Question

The selected clinical practice problem is medication nonadherence with elderly patients suffering from chronic diseases. Medication non-adherence is a widespread problem affecting the healthcare industry, impoverishing treatment effectiveness and increasing healthcare costs. A PICOT question for this problem is: “In elderly patients with chronic conditions (P), how does implementing a personalized medication management plan (I), compared to standard care (C), influence medication adherence and overall health outcomes (O) over a six-month period (T)?”

In response to this practice imperative, a developing evidence-based intervention promotes the creation of individualized medication management plans. This strategic approach is based on a critical literature review, which will be discussed in the next section. Depending on the patient’s requirements, personalized medication treatment approaches are adopted for interventions that will provide more directed and effective health care (Melo & Bishop, 2020). The evidence-based foundation of the proposed personalized approach speaks to an emphasis on improving patient outcomes and acknowledges that healthcare intervention is not a one-size-fits-all process. This means that the proposed intervention is supported by a comprehensive literature review, which gives it credibility, considering its significance and potential to address the nursing practice predicament.

Evidence Synthesis of the Literature

A wide range of databases such as PubMed, CINAHL, and Cochrane Library were analyzed by conducting a systematic literature review using the keywords ‘medication adherence,’ ‘elderly,’ and ‘personalized medication management.’ It appeared from this synthesis that there are some key findings related to the relevance of personalized interventions in improving adherence amongst older people (Westerlund, Nilsen & Sundberg, 2019). This broad overview of the scholarly literature reveals consensus on viewing personalized approaches to dealing with complexities associated with medication management among older adults. Starting from these similarities that could be considered a robust frame of reference, it is easy to notice the connection between proposed evidence-based intervention in personalized medication management plans and literature supporting an individual approach towards compliance, ensuring high results among aged patients.

Terhaar (2019) states that medication management programs to reduce seniors’ risk factors have proven effective. This study examines how individualized treatments have been used to address specific needs among this population. However, another theory proposed by White (2019) specifies that conventional approaches to health do not lead to proper medication adherence among older adults. This range of perceptions adopts an individualizing approach and a strategy that transcends complexity in the domain of knowledge about the line topic. The differences in the findings between Terhaar and White indicate how complicated medication management is for older adults. This also emphasizes the need for evidence-based practice interventions, such as individually tailored medication management plans, that have been suggested to address these gaps and improve overall healthcare outcomes among this population.

A thorough consensus can be found when comparing the research of Terhaar (2019) and White (2019): The introduction of customized medication management plans tailored to every individual patient’s needs results in better adherence levels and outcome measures. This difference in the results points out great arguments for personalized interventions as one of the very important parts of solving this recognized practice problem. The pervasive story is brought to be conditional on the integration of White’s counterargument with Terhaar confirming results, and such conclusions demonstrate how some approaches can work particularly effectively in addressing medication adherence issues anywhere. This means that these synthesized results support the rationale for creating this intervention based on research and highlight the importance of introducing alternative approaches aimed at reducing gaps between science and practice focused on enhancing patient outcomes.

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Internally, the practicum site meticulously gathered data from incident reports, readmission, and infection rates, highlighting sites where medication adherence issues may fail. This integrated data gathering played the role of a magnet, directing focus on medication adherence and labeling it as one of the key practice problems that required intervention. The analysis of incident reports and healthcare metrics determined the setting where case resolution took place, directing decision-making toward medication adherence as a point scale to be addressed (Terhaar, 2019). Using various internal sources validated the significance of the chosen practice problem and, most significantly, positioning it as an essential target for evidence-based intervention that aligned endeavors with pivotal measurable areas identified in the practicum setting.

Much of the efficiency in handling medication adherence issues comes from technological integration. EHRs become the foundation, facilitating data capture and providing real-time information on medication adherence behavior patterns. Utilizing predictive analytics in EHRs makes it possible to identify non-adherent patients proactively and implement appropriate interventions promptly (White, 2019). Further, EHRs support continuous process improvement as they allow for the assessment of interventions and include tracking patient outcomes over time. This symbiosis of healthcare and information technologies increases the exactitude with which interventions are implemented and underlines how digital solutions play a dynamic role in improving care, compliance, and data-driven decision-making in clinical practices (Melo & Bishop, 2020).

Conclusion

Finally, the crucial topic of non-adherence to medications among elderly patients with chronic conditions significantly influences health care effects. The suggested evidence-based and targeting-specific medication management plan intervention has the potential to improve compliance related to better health outcomes for this high-risk population. Incorporating data-driven decision-making propelled by internal data and information technology can support the performance. This initiative aligns with the need to harmonize patient care, close the divide between research and clinical practice, and contribute in some way towards improving geriatric health.

References

Melo, S., & Bishop, S. (2020). Translating healthcare research evidence into practice: The role of linked boundary objects. Social Science & Medicine, 246, 112731. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112731

Terhaar, M.F. (2019) ‘Methods for translation: Strategies for applying evidence to improve nursing and healthcare practice’, Translation of Evidence Into Nursing and Healthcare [Preprint]. doi:10.1891/9780826147370.0008.

Westerlund, A., Nilsen, P., & Sundberg, L. (2019). Implementation of implementation science knowledge: the research‐practice gap paradox. Worldviews on evidence-based nursing, 16(5), 332. doi: 10.1111/wvn.12403

White, K.M. (2019) ‘Evidence-based practice and its implementation in healthcare’, Translation of Evidence Into Nursing and Healthcare [Preprint]. doi:10.1891/9780826147370.0001.

Appendix: Johns Hopkins Nursing Evidence-Based Practice Individual Evidence Summary Tool

Data-Driven Decision-Making

Role of Information Technologies