Formative Assessment
This formative assessment serves as a steppingstone towards a summative evaluation by reinforcing your understanding of the evidence translation process, which is critical for effective patient care and informed decision-making in nursing. Completing this assessment will prepare you for real-world application of evidence-based practices, making you an integral part of advancing healthcare outcomes in your future career.
create a brief proposal demonstrating the process of translating evidence from nursing research and other scientific sources into practice for a specific clinical problem in your area of nursing.
Select a Clinical Problem: Identify a nursing practice issue in your field that could benefit from evidence translation.
Identify Relevant Evidence: Conduct a brief literature review to find at least two pieces of evidence — one from nursing science and another from an interdisciplinary field (such as public health, psychology, or social work).
Draft a Proposal: Write a concise proposal (1-2 pages) addressing the following:
Describe the clinical problem.
Summarize the evidence identified from each source.
Outline the steps you would take to translate the identified evidence into practice, including potential barriers and strategies to overcome them.
Sample Answer
Given our current context of Nairobi, Kenya, and assuming a nursing field focused on community health or maternal-child health due to common local priorities, I will select a relevant clinical problem.
Proposal for Evidence Translation: Reducing Postpartum Hemorrhage (PPH) in Rural Kenyan Health Facilities
Clinical Problem Description:
Postpartum hemorrhage (PPH), defined as blood loss of 500 mL or more within 24 hours after birth, remains a leading cause of maternal mortality and morbidity globally, particularly in low-resource settings like rural Kenya. Despite the existence of evidence-based interventions, there’s a persistent gap between knowledge and practice in many primary healthcare facilities. Challenges include inconsistent application of active management of the third stage of labor (AMTSL), delays in recognizing and managing excessive blood loss, and inadequate access to essential uterotonics and blood products. This clinical problem directly impacts maternal survival and contributes to the high maternal mortality rates observed in many parts of Kenya. The lack of standardized, evidence-based PPH management protocols, coupled with limited resources and continuous professional development, creates a significant barrier to improving maternal outcomes.
Summary of Identified Evidence:
-
Evidence from Nursing Science:
- Source: A qualitative study by Njoki, M., & Ndirangu, M. (2021). “Nurses’ experiences in managing postpartum hemorrhage in rural public health facilities in Kenya.” Journal of Nursing and Midwifery Studies, 10(2), 45-53.