title: Use of the innovation-decision process teaching strategy to promote evidence-based practice.
abstract: The purpose of this article is to describe the innovation-decision process teaching strategy (I-DPTS) based on the model of diffusion of innovations [Rogers, E. M. (2003). Diffusion of innovations (5th ed.). New York: Free Press]. A goal of baccalaureate nursing education is to develop competencies required for evidence-based practice. Such practice merges clinician expertise, patient preferences, and critical evaluation of the literature to improve patient outcomes and reduce health care costs [Melnyk, B. M. (2005). A primer on evidence-based practice. Paper presented at the Purdue School of Nursing Seventh Annual Helen R. Johnson Leadership Conference, West Lafayette, IN]. Several strategies to promote evidence-based practice have appeared in the literature. However, when they are examined in light of the innovation-decision process (Rogers, 2003), they do not address all the essential steps for adoption to occur. The I-DPTS allows students to achieve competencies necessary to overcome barriers associated with implementing best practices. This strategy was successfully implemented in a senior-level introductory nursing research class. Community representatives identified practice issues that could be addressed by student groups. After conducting a search of the literature, students analyzed the evidence, determined best practice based on the evidence, and developed a policy for implementation in clinical settings. At course end, representatives were invited to attend oral and poster presentations. Use of the I-DPTS better prepares students to implement best practice as they embark on their professional careers.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing, Valparaiso University, Valparaiso, IN 46383, USA. nola.schmidt@valpo.edu
authors.forename: Nola A
authors.initials: NA
authors.lastname: Schmidt
authors.forename: Janet M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Brown
mesh_terms: D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking; D003657:Decision Making; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004508:Education, Nursing, Baccalaureate / Q000458:organization & administration*; D019317:Evidence-Based Medicine / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D005181:Faculty, Nursing; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016247:Information Storage and Retrieval; D017145:Models, Educational; D008960:Models, Psychological; D015402:Nursing Education Research; D048108:Nursing Informatics / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009937:Organizational Objectives; D010687:Philosophy, Nursing; D011361:Professional Competence; D016730:Program Development; D015397:Program Evaluation; D012196:Review Literature as Topic; D013338:Students, Nursing / Q000523:psychology; D013663:Teaching / Q000458:organization & administration*; D013850:Thinking