Units

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Sample subject outline - Semester 2 2013

Note: Subject outlines often change before the semester begins. Below is a sample outline.

Rationale

Knowledge and skills in searching for, critiquing, implementing and evaluating evidence; and understanding, identify and overcoming the barriers to practice change are essential to facilitate the translation, transfer and utilisation of evidence in practice to ensure quality health care. Implementing evidence into clinical practice is a complex and multi-faceted process requiring not only a thorough understanding of the principles and processes of evidence-based practice but also of facilitating change.

Aims

The use of high-quality evidence is an integral part of advanced nursing practice, wherein critical appraisal of evidence informs the high-level reasoning used to adapt care to specific client groups. This unit develops your knowledge and skills in appraising and integrating relevant evidence into clinical and other health care decision-making. The aim of the unit is to equip you with the knowledge and skills to critically appraise and effectively integrate evidence into practice.

Objectives

On successful completion of this unit you will have achieved the following competencies and capabilities:

1. Identify a clinical practice inconsistency that could be resolved through development of a clear clinical question, identification of gaps in evidence for specific areas of practice, and exploration of the latest scientific evidence;



2. Locate, critically appraise and integrate relevant research evidence, including systematic reviews and meta-analyses, in decision-making about health care management and patient interventions; and
   



3. Demonstrate the capacity to conduct research/quality audits as deemed necessary in the practice environment by planning a project to implement evidence-based practice into clinical settings.
   

Content

The content in this unit is generic to all specialties of nurse practitioner practice. It includes grounding in terminology related to the principles and processes of evidence-based practice, such as types of evidence, systematic reviews, meta-analysis, guidelines, audit, dissemination, and implementation. Incorporating evidence into practice involves appraising the evidence from systematic reviews and guidelines; comparing and contrasting current practice with the most current evidence; and modifying policies and procedures and guidelines so that they are consistent with the evidence. The implementation of evidence-based practice involves the development of audit tools to appraise the extent of current practice. Changes in practice and patient outcomes are then evaluated following an evidence-based practice program. To determine sustainability of the practice change, continuous auditing is required. Barriers to practice change can make this process difficult; therefore it is essential to understand, identify and overcome barriers to change prior to implementing a change program.

Successful completion of this unit contributes to attainment of the following course values, ANMC Nurse Practitioner Standards (ANMC 2004), QUT Capabilities and Australian Learning and Teaching Council expectations for health graduates:

• Course Values:




1. Safe, competent advanced practitioners who strive towards excellence in the delivery of holistic, evidence-based nursing care for all people in the settings in which they practice;


2. Inquiring practitioners who value intellectual curiosity, the active pursuit of new knowledge and its incorporation within the provision of high quality nursing care;


3. Collaborative practitioners who work with clients, families and colleagues in the pursuit of optimal health and well-being; and


4. Professionally aware practitioners who are prepared to challenge the status quo to achieve optimal health outcomes.




• ANMC (2004) Nurse Practitioner Competency Standards:




1. Dynamic practice that incorporates the application of high-level knowledge and skills in extended practice across stable, unpredictable and complex situations; and


2. Clinical leadership that influences and progresses clinical care, policy and collaboration through all levels of health service.




• QUT Graduate Capabilities:




1. Knowledge and skills pertinent to practice as a nurse practitioner;


2. Advanced levels of critical, creative and analytical thinking and effective problem-solving;


3. Highly effective verbal and written communication; and


4. An enhanced capacity for life-long learning.




• Australian Learning and Teaching Council Threshold Learning Outcomes for Health Graduates:




1. Demonstrate professional behaviours;


2. Retrieve, critically evaluate and apply evidence in the performance of health-related activities;


3. Deliver safe and effective collaborative care; and


4. Reflect on current skills, knowledge and attitudes and plan for ongoing personal and professional development.

Approaches to Teaching and Learning

This unit is delivered in flexible mode. You will receive a comprehensive online study guide and a list of suitable readings and text books. The study guide will provide a framework for learning activities and encourage critical analysis through a structured program of learning.

Teaching and learning strategies are student-centred, technology-enhanced, aligned in terms of the unit learning outcomes and objectives, and focus on real world learning and practice embracing the learner's developmental learning journey.

A range of approaches to teaching and learning is used to develop your knowledge and skills in evidence-based practice. You will be encouraged to think critically about the analysis and application of evidence through the following learning activities:

Use of experiential learning, and flexible and responsive learning pathways to consolidate competence and promote capability;

A formal seminar series. If you cannot attend in person, an audio recording and a Power Point file of the seminars will be available on line;

A framework for your reading and learning activities will support and encourage critical analysis of the relevant issues through use of the study guide;

An online teaching page, which will provide access to web-based resources, all unit content, a discussion forum on topics and issues generated from readings and learning activities for students and staff, and a frequently-asked questions area; and

Group and/or individual teleconferences, as required, to discuss unit content.

Assessment

There are three assessment items in this unit.Assessment will be spaced throughout the semester to provide the opportunity for feedback on your learning at key points. You will be provided with feedback on each assessment item as you progress through the unit. A structured approach to assessment and marking will be applied to provide you with detailed feedback on your progress.

Assessment name: Location the Evidence
Description: You will identify an inconsistent clinical practice; develop a searchable question, using the PICO format; and locate evidence to answer the question.
Relates to objectives: 1.
Weight: 15%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk 4

Assessment name: Critical Appraisal of Evidence
Description: You will locate and critically appraise the highest level of evidence in the topic area that is relevant to your clinical question.
Relates to objectives: 1 & 2.
Weight: 35%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk 8

Assessment name: Implementing the Evidence
Description: You will develop a plan for implementing the evidence addressing your searchable clinical question; and develop an evaluation plan to determine the effectiveness of the implementation plan.
Relates to objectives: 1-3.
Weight: 50%
Internal or external: Both
Group or individual: Individual
Due date: Wk 13

Academic Honesty

QUT is committed to maintaining high academic standards to protect the value of its qualifications. To assist you in assuring the academic integrity of your assessment you are encouraged to make use of the support materials and services available to help you consider and check your assessment items. Important information about the university's approach to academic integrity of assessment is on your unit Blackboard site.

A breach of academic integrity is regarded as Student Misconduct and can lead to the imposition of penalties.

Resource materials

There are no required texts for this unit. You are encouraged to access a current evidence-based practice textbook. A list of recommended resources is provided:

Required resources
Hoffmann, T. (2010). Evidence-based practice across the health professions. Chatswood, NSW: Churchill Livingstone.

Recommended Resources
Courtney, M. & McCutcheon, H. (Ed.). (2010). Using evidence to guide nursing practice. Sydney: Elsevier.

DiCenso, A. et al. (2004). Evidence-based nursing: A guide to clinical practice. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier.

Hunink, M., Glasziou, P., Siegel, J., Weeks, J., Pliskin, J., Elstein, A. & Weinstein, M. (2010). Decision making in health and medicine. Integrating evidence and values. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

Pearson, A. (2007). Evidence-based clinical practise in nursing and healthcare: Assimilating research, experience and expertise. Oxford: Blackwell publishing.

You will also be guided in the selection and use of key websites on evidence-based practice and clinical practice guidelines and encouraged to explore the vast array of other evidence-based resources freely available on the internet.

Risk assessment statement

There are no out of the ordinary risks associated with this unit.

Disclaimer - Offer of some units is subject to viability, and information in these Unit Outlines is subject to change prior to commencement of semester.

Last modified: 27-Sep-2012