BSS4 A clinical approach using evidence-based nursing and critical thinking

Contents and structure

It is crucial for nurses to be able to deliver high-quality care that meets the needs of their patients. High-quality care requires continuous professional development and updated knowledge and skills. Accordingly, evidence-based nursing (EBN) means using the best available evidence from research, along with clinical expertise and patient preferences, when making nursing decisions. EBN involves the ability to formulate focused and searchable questions, perform literature searches and critical appraise research articles. Using evidence from clinical research is necessary but not sufficient for the provision of care. The course will challenge students to reflect upon the continuing debate concerning evidence-based nursing and the practical and philosophical challenges inherent in implementing research results in practice.

Learning Outcome

A student who has completed the course should have the following learning outcomes defined in terms of knowledge, skills and general competence:

Knowledge: The student...

• can understand the concept of evidence-based nursing and its historical development and tradition within the health sciences
• can understand possible strategies for promoting research utilization
• has knowledge of the organizational, social and professional barriers to the implementation of evidence based practice

Skills: The student...

• ask answerable questions and subsequently frame focused questions (core questions) in a way that allows for the search of evidence
• can recognize different study designs that are ideally suited for answering different focused questions arising from clinical nursing practice
• can use literature searches by using PICO (Patient, Intervention, Control, Outcome), in the databases Cochrane, McMaster+, Medline, and Cinahl and other appropriate databases according to the focused question
• can critical appraise research articles by using checklists
• can present research findings in an oral presentation and a written assignment
• can discuss the value of information and research knowledge in specific contexts of clinical practice  

General competence: The student...

• has insight into the strengths and limitations of evidence based practice

Entry requirements

Admission to bachelor in Nursing at HVL and incoming exchange students from partner institutions.

Norwegian students must have passed exams in 3rd semester in health and social work education and in clinical medicine, surgery and pharmacology and passed the clinical practice training in a medical or surgical ward.

Recommended previous knowledge

Theory of science and research methodology, and the theoretical basis of nursing, disciplinary development and research in nursing.

English language

Teaching methods

• lectures
• plenary discussions
• individual studies
• study group working on clinical problems outlined by nurses from clinical practice
• seminar with student presentations
• work on a written group assignment

 

List of literature will be available prior to the start of the semester.

 

Compulsory learning activities

• Participate in study groups and plenary discussions
• Prepare questions for the gathering of evidence, doing a literature search and conducting a critical appraisal in study groups based on a given clinical question
• Participate in a seminar with oral presentations of the student-groups' work and discussions with skilled nurses
• Give written comments on the work of a fellow student-group's presentation
• Write a group assignment

Assessment

Written assignment with a maximum of 3000 words.

The grading scale used is: Passed / not passed

Examination support material

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