Engaging clinicians in evidence based policy development: the case of nursing documentation.
A lack of consistent policy direction, revealed by a review of nursing and midwifery documentation, presented researchers with an opportunity to engage clinicians in the process of evidence based policy development. By utilising the framework informed by both practice development and the principles of evidence based practice, clinicians were taken through an education program and a series of activities to develop their skills in discerning how research evidence and other literature can inform policy development. The clinicians' involvement maximised their investment in the final policy. Clinicians synthesised all the evidence associated with nursing and midwifery documentation and produced a set of seven guiding principles that formed the basis of an area wide policy for nursing and midwifery documentation. The strength of this approach to policy development was that the clinician's experience ensured that the concerns of the clinicians were included in the policy. Difficulties in completing tasks outside meeting times were highlighted.
School of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Western Sydney, Project Officer, Centre for Applied Nursing Research, Liverpool BC, NSW, Australia.
Diana
D
Jefferies
Maree
M
Johnson
Rhonda
R
Griffiths
Kathy
K
Arthurs
David
D
Beard
Tanghua
T
Chen
Maureen
M
Edgetton-Winn
Tony
T
Hecimovic
Margaret
M
Hughes
Karen
K
Linten
Julie
J
Maddox
Damien
D
McCaul
Kim
K
Robson
Shelley
S
Scott
Tina
T
Zarkos
D015400:Clinical Nursing Research / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003659:Decision Making, Organizational; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D004282:Documentation / Q000592:standards*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D055317:Evidence-Based Practice / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006801:Humans; D009737:Nursing Records; D009741:Nursing Staff, Hospital / Q000193:education / Q000458:organization & administration; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D011050:Policy Making; D017410:Practice Guidelines as Topic; D011367:Professional Staff Committees / Q000458:organization & administration; D012107:Research Design