Strategies to promote practice nurse capacity to deliver evidence-based care: An example from sexual healthcare
Journal of Health Organization and Management
ISSN: 1477-7266
Article publication date: 16 November 2015
Abstract
Purpose
Evidence-based practice is pivotal to effective patient care. However, its translation into practice remains limited. Given the central role of primary care in many healthcare systems, it is important to identify strategies that bolster clinician-capacity to promote evidence-based care. The purpose of this paper is to identify strategies to increase Practice Nurse capacity to promote evidence-based sexual healthcare within general practice.
Design/methodology/approach
A survey of 217 Practice Nurses in an Australian state and ten respondent-interviews regarding two resources to promote evidence-based sexual healthcare – namely, a clinical aide and online training.
Findings
The perceived impact of both resources was determined by views on relevance and design – particularly for the clinical aide. Resource-use was influenced by role and responsibilities within the workplace, accessibility, and support from patients and colleagues.
Research limitations/implications
This is the first Australian study to reveal strategies to promote evidence-based sexual healthcare among Practice Nurses. The findings provide a platform for future research on knowledge translation processes, particularly among clinicians who might be disengaged from sexual healthcare.
Practical implications
Given the benefits of evidence-based practices, it is important that managers recognize their role, and the role of their services, in promoting these. Without explicit support for evidence-based care and recognition of the Practice Nurse role in such care, knowledge translation is likely to be limited.
Originality/value
Knowledge translation among Practice Nurses can be facilitated by: resources-deemed informative, relevant, and user-friendly, as well as support from patients, colleagues, and their workplace.
Keywords
Acknowledgements
This study was supported by the New South Wales Sexually Transmissible Infections Programs Unit. In addition to the authors, the research team included Professor Jenny Reath (Western Sydney University), Professor Wendy Hu (Western Sydney University), Dr Melissa Kang (University of Sydney), and Professor Timothy Usherwood (University of Sydney). The authors would like to acknowledge the contributions of Dr Chris Bourne (NSW STIPU), Carolyn Murray (NSW STIPU), Leanne Burton (NSW STIPU), the GP Project Working Group, Dr Sara Rosenkranz, personnel from NSW Divisions of General Practice, and the clinicians who generously gave their time and support.
Citation
Dadich, A., Abbott, P. and Hosseinzadeh, H. (2015), "Strategies to promote practice nurse capacity to deliver evidence-based care: An example from sexual healthcare", Journal of Health Organization and Management, Vol. 29 No. 7, pp. 988-1010. https://doi.org/10.1108/JHOM-05-2013-0089
Publisher
:Emerald Group Publishing Limited
Copyright © 2015, Emerald Group Publishing Limited