NUR 550 Discuss how evidence-based practice is defined as translational research
NUR 550 Discuss how evidence-based practice is defined as translational research
DQ1 Discuss how evidence-based practice is defined as . Describe the framework that supports that definition. Identify a population health issue you are interested in researching and discuss the issue using that framework. As you select an issue, remember you will be building upon your research in this course for your evidence-based practice project in the next course. Think about how you can focus your research now to help you complete your EBP project.
Note: While you will only be proposing a solution and implementation plan in your EBP project, keep in mind EBP projects lay a foundation for doctoral research, since doctoral candidates have the opportunity to actually implement their projects. If you are interested in pursuing doctoral education, it is a good idea to choose an issue you would be interested in pursuing in greater depth. The research and work you complete on your EBP project now can be used if you choose to move forward into doctoral education.
DQ2 Identify at least one barrier that relates to challenges with population health. Consider how you could employ translational research to potentially overcome this barrier. Identify the best type of translational research to address this barrier, and provide rationale for the type you have chosen. What would be the challenges of using this type? What strategies would you employ to provide an understanding of your chosen type of translational research and to gather collaborative support?
Terminology is an issue in translation science (; ; ). For example, McKibbon and colleagues () identified 100 different terms to describe translation research. This diversity of terminology impedes efforts to synthesize, advance, and apply findings from translation science. Lack of a common language makes it difficult for researchers to learn from each other’s studies; to collaborate across geographic boundaries and disciplines; and to search for and synthesize scientific findings ().
One important distinction is the difference between conduct of research and EBP. An overview of terminology is in . One important distinction is the difference between conduct of research and EBP. Evidence-based practice and conduct of research have distinct purposes, questions, approaches, and evaluation methods. Conduct of research is the systematic investigation of a phenomenon that addresses research questions or hypotheses to create generalizable knowledge and advance the state of the science (). In contrast, EBP is the conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise, patient values, and circumstances to guide healthcare decisions (; ).
Another important distinction is the difference between EBP and translation science, also known as implementation science.“Best evidence” includes findings from randomized controlled trials, evidence from other scientific designs such as descriptive and qualitative research, as well as information from case reports and scientific principles. When enough research evidence is available, practice should be guided by research findings in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values. In some cases, however, a sufficient research base may not be available, and health care decision-making is informed by other evidence sources such as scientific principles, quality improvement data, or quality improvement reports published in peer reviewed journals.
…EBP and translation science, though related, are not interchangeable terms.Another important distinction is the difference between EBP and translation science, also known as implementation science. Translation science is conduct of research. It focuses on testing implementation interventions to improve uptake and use of evidence to improve patient outcomes and population health, as well as to clarify what implementation strategies work for whom, in what settings, and why (; ). An emerging body of knowledge in translation science provides a scientific base for guiding the selection of implementation strategies to promote adoption of EBPs in real-world settings (; ; ). Thus EBP and translation science, though related, are not interchangeable terms. EBP is the actual application of evidence in practice (the “doing of” EBP), whereas translation science is the study of implementation interventions, factors, and contextual variables that effect knowledge uptake and use in practices and communities. Translation science is research; various research designs and methods are used to address the research questions or hypotheses ().
Table 1. Terms Used in EBP and Translation/Implementation Science
| Term | Description |
| Translational Research | Translational research is a dynamic continuum from basic research through application of research findings in practice, communities and public health settings to improve health and health outcomes. Translation Research progresses across five phases:
The translational phases along this continuum are sometimes referred to as “bench-to-bedside” and “bedside-to-community” (). |
| Conduct of Research | The systematic investigation of a phenomenon to answer research questions or hypotheses that advances the state of the science (). |
| Implementation Science (also called translation science) | A field of science that focuses on testing implementation interventions to promote uptake and use of evidence to improve patient outcomes and population health, and explicate what implementation strategies work for whom, in what settings, and why (; ; ). |
| Dissemination Research | The targeted distribution of information and intervention materials to a specific public health or clinical practice audience with the intent to spread, scale-up, and sustain knowledge use and evidence-based interventions (). |
| Comparative effectiveness research (CER) | CER is the generation and synthesis of evidence that compares the benefits and harms of alternative methods to prevent, diagnose, treat and monitor a clinical condition, or to improve the delivery of care. The purpose of CER is to assist consumers, clinicians, purchasers, and policy makers to make informed decisions that will improve healthcare at both the individual and population levels. This definition implies the direct comparison of two or more effective interventions in patients who are typical of day-to-day clinical care (). |
| Knowledge translation | Knowledge translation is a term primarily used in Canadian implementation research and is defined by the Canadian Institutes for Health Research (CIHR) as “a dynamic and iterative process that includes synthesis, dissemination, exchange and ethically-sound application of knowledge to improve the health of Canadians, provide more effective health services and products and strengthen the health care system” (, para. 1). |
| Knowledge Transfer | The process of getting knowledge from producers to potential users (). However, knowledge transfer has been criticized for its unidirectional notion and its lack of concern with the implementation of transferred knowledge(). |
| Evidence Based Practice | The conscientious and judicious use of current best evidence in conjunction with clinical expertise and patient values to guide healthcare decisions (; ). |
| Evidence Based Policy | Evidence-based policy is developed through a continuous process that uses the best available quantitative and qualitative evidence to improve public health outcomes (). |
| Evidence Informed Decision-making (EIDM) | EIDM is the process of combining a range of sources of evidence to inform a decision. In practice, this occurs within a political context that requires consideration of a range of other factors including research evidence, community views, budget constraints, and expert opinion (). |
| Policy dissemination & implementation research | Policy dissemination and implementation research is focused on generating knowledge to effectively spread research evidence among policymakers and integrate evidence-based interventions into policy designs (). |
[Modified from Titler, LoBiondo-Wood, & Haber, J, ()]
