title: Supporting the use of evidence in community nursing: a national strategic approach.
abstract: While there is an acceptance across all stakeholders that nursing practice should be informed by evidence, there is a substantial literature on the challenges this creates for nurses in the delivery of services. These challenges are accentuated for nurses in community settings, where accessible, up-to-date research evidence is more problematic because of the decentralised organisation and delivery of these services. Recognising this gap, and the consequent needs of its members, the Institute of Community Health Nursing (ICHN) in Ireland has commenced a national strategic development in this area. The purpose of the strategy is to actively support and facilitate public health and community nurses to provide services to individuals, families and communities that are based on the best available research evidence. This article provides a brief overview of the development and key components of the ICHN strategy.
authors.affiliation: Visiting Research Fellow, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Trinity College Dublin.
authors.forename: Sinéad
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Hanafin
authors.forename: Sandra
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Roe
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Dowd
authors.forename: Catriona
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Barry
mesh_terms: D003152:Community Health Nursing; D004059:Diffusion of Innovation; D055318:Evidence-Based Nursing; D007494:Ireland
keywords: Community; Evidence; Ireland; Nursing; Strategy