As I work through my Doctor of Nursing Practice program, I am intrigued by the different models of evidence-based healthcare that are available. While all of the models have similarities, there are subtle nuances to each of the models which make them a good fit for particular healthcare institutions. Each of the models strive to faciliate an understanding, analysis, improvement and / or replacement of the healthcare process as it is currently conceived and practiced (Pearson, Weeks, & Stern, 2011).
Some of the most common popular models of evidence-based practice include:
- The ACE Star Model of Knowledge (Stevens, 2004)
- The Stetler Model of Evidence-Based Practice (Stetler, 1985)
- The Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice (Melnyk, Fineout-Overholt, 2011)
- Joanna Briggs Institute's Model of Evidence-Based Practice (Pearson, Weeks, & Stern, 2011).
When your institution decides to begin an evidence-based practice program, it is imperative you evaluate the different EBP models that have been developed and choose the one that best suits your institution's culture. For evidence-based practice to be truly successful, it must combine scientific research/evidence with clinical expertise and patient preference. It is only then that the evidence can transform practice and improve patient outcomes.
References:
Melnyk, B., & Fineout-Overholt, E. 2011. Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing & Healthcare. 2nd edition. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Pearson, A., Weeks, S., & Stern, C. 2011. Translation Science and The JBI Model of Evidence-Based Healthcare. Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.
Stetler, C. (1994). Refinement of the Stetler/Marram model for application of research findings to pracitce. Nursing Outlook, 42(1), 15-25.
Stevens, K. (2004). ACE Star Model of EBP: Knowledge Transformation. Academic Center for Evidence-Based Practice. Retrieved 20 January 2012, from http://www.acestar.uthscsa.edu.
Submitted by:
Anne Dabrow Woods, MSN, RN, CRNP, ANP-BC
Chief Nurse and Publisher