NURS 6052/NURS 5052 Week 8: Planning for Data Collection

Evidence-based practice is a theory that consists of using research to guide decision

making in clinical and nursing settings. For research to be reliable and have validity a significant

amount of data collection must first be collected. Whether your research project is using

quantitative, qualitative, or mixed-methods design it is essential to determine what types of

information is needed. Due to the emphasis on patient satisfaction in the healthcare world at this

time, it is important to evaluate how that care is being delivered (Krietz, Winters & Pedowitz,

2016). In this post, I will discuss using a survey method to obtain information representative of

the population within a clinic setting.NURS 6052 Week (1-11) – Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice Essay.

In the example, I am a nurse working in a suburban primary care facility which sees

thousands of patients annually. To make better clinical decisions regarding patient care and

satisfaction, five questions have been created to elicit feedback. The questions are as follows:

1. Did you feel the wait time to be seen in the office was appropriate?

2. During your visit, did you feel the nurses and staff listened to your concerns and

treated you with courtesy and respect?

3. Did the provider spend enough time listening, discussing care, and answering your

questions?

4. Based on your experience today, would you recommend our clinic to someone you

know?

5. In your opinion, what could our clinic have done better?

To obtain structured data that is self-reported and applicable to the clinic’s objectives it is

vital to determine which instrument would work best for the clientele. Self-report methods are

able to extract information from patients that might otherwise be difficult to get (Polit & Beck,

2017). Allowing the freedom to report their experiences and feelings increases confidence in the

clinic’s desire to meet their needs. If researchers know what data they want to obtain, a

structured approach with some open-ended and closed questions can garner the information

needed to make significant changes (Polit & Beck, 2017). Using a mixture of questions is an

attempt to include all patients.

For this scenario, the questionnaire is a sampling of both types of questions and is the

most popular method (Keough & Tanabe, 2011). The study will be given to individuals 18 and

over. The questionnaire and a pen will be given to the patient by the nurse prior at the start of

their appointment with the physician. An explanation of the questionnaire will be provided with

instructions to return their questionnaire to the drop-box on the countertop in the room after their

exam. The goal for participation is 500 patient responses over a six-month time period.

Responses will be collected and responses logged into the computer on Fridays by the nurse

manager. After the 6-month period, results will be calculated and staff will be informed of the

results and clinical implications for patient care.

Implementing change processes requires the support of clinical staff and providers. Since

patient care is seen as an essential component of healthcare, working together as a staff to create

a warm, friendly, and improved patient experience is the ultimate objective (McNicholas et al.,

2017). With good leadership and teamwork, the clinic can attain staff satisfaction and patient

satisfaction simultaneously.NURS 6052 Week (1-11) – Essentials of Evidence-Based Practice Essay.