Evidence Based Practice

Evidence Based Practice

Introduction

The responsibilities and roles of the practice nurses are described in many studies and it is shown that the roles and responsibilities are not clearly explained and they are varied in different studies. Moreover, a research of Atkin et al (1993) indicates most of the practice nurses have been involved in the promotion of health and other studies also indicated that many assessments for the cardiovascular diseases are performed by the nurses. In the year (2000) British Medical Journal published three types of trials of primary care of nurses. The trials showed that there was less difference between the clinical outcomes of the patients who consulted to a doctor and the patients who consulted to a practice nurse. Further studies reveal that unpretentious health can be accomplished by stipulation of life style, counseling by the nurse practitioners. The following study was conducted to identify the level to which the practice nurses utilize the availability of research evidences for the prevention of stroke and cardiovascular diseases.

Steps taken by the nurses

The steps that are taken by the nurse practitioners in the evidence based practice are as follows

Preparation

In this step the problem is identified and further it is verified with evidences. In case of cardiovascular diseases the nurses identify the problem in the patients on the basis of risk factors that were cholesterol level, smoking, lack of exercise and hypertension.

Validation

The phase of validation includes the assessment and production of the evidences. The assessment is preformed on the basis of questions from the patients and their reports. A table of evidence is maintained and all the results of the risks are rated. The process comes to an end if the evidences for the risks are insufficient.

Comparative evaluation

The nurses' process the cumulative findings for the disease ...