Achieving evidence-based nursing practice: impact of the Caledonian Development Model.
OBJECTIVE
To determine the impact of the Caledonian Development Model, designed to promote evidence-based practice.


BACKGROUND
The model features practice-development activities, benchmarking, knowledge pooling and translation through membership of a community of practice and a virtual college.


METHODS
Twenty-four nurses, from 18 practice sites formed three communities of practice, each selecting evidence-based guidance to implement. A modified group supervision framework empowered nurses to champion local implementation. Outcomes were determined at 6 months.


RESULTS
Eighty per cent of the patient-related criteria and 35% of the facilities criteria were achieved. The Revised Nursing Work Index indicated these nurses experienced greater autonomy (P = 0.019) and increased organizational support (P = 0.037). Focus groups revealed a deepening organizational support for the initiative over time, illuminated work-based learning challenges and overall enthusiasm for the approach.


CONCLUSIONS
Implementation of the model effectively promoted evidence-based practice, most notably at the level of the individual patient.


CONCLUSIONS
Time and budgetary constraints necessitate smart, value for money approaches to developing evidence-based practice and improved care standards. This work demonstrates an effective model that strikes a balance between individual and group learning, virtual and real-time activities, coupled with resource pooling across organizations and sectors.
Tolson
Debbie
D
School of Nursing, Midwifery & Community Health, Glasgow Caledonian University, Glasgow, UK. d.tolson@gcal.ac.uk
Booth
Jo
J
Lowndes
Andrew
A
D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D019985:Benchmarking / Q000458:organization & administration*; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D017144:Focus Groups; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D016294:Models, Nursing; D024802:Nurse's Role / Q000523:psychology; D009731:Nursing Audit; D015403:Nursing Evaluation Research; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D015399:Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009740:Nursing Staff / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000523:psychology; D017009:Professional Autonomy; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012606:Scotland; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires