Use of “The Knowledge-to-Action Framework” for the implementation of evidence-based nursing in child and family care: Study protocol

Abstract

Nurses are increasingly focused on a practice based on scientific knowledge. However, it is important to distinguish high-quality evidence that can be applied in practice from studies of low or dubious scientific quality. Therefore, nurses must base their practice on structural support that allows for the definition of personalized and context-specific interventions. The objectives of this study are to identify the main barriers and facilitators to the evidence-based nursing approach and to implement an Evidence-Based Practice model (EBP) in clinical practice settings. We seek to contribute to evidence-based nursing by promoting professional skills in nurses, using "The Knowledge-to-Action Framework" (KTA). The research focuses on a participatory action research methodology based on the cyclical process of the KTA framework, contemplating the creation of knowledge and the implementation of existing solutions or new solutions through an action cycle. The participants will be nurses and parents/caregivers) from a pediatric service in Northern Portugal. The study will be conducted in 3 phases: phase 1 will identify the priority issues by exploring the barriers and facilitators of EBP from the nurses’ perspective and assessing the parents’/caregivers’ satisfaction with nursing care. Phase 2 will be divided into (a) the planning and (b) the implementation of the KTA model, where we aim to build and validate (a) a training plan and (b) the implementation of the KTA model. Phase 3 is for the evaluation of the model implementation and sustaining knowledge. It is recognized that there is a large gap between knowledge production and the subsequent implementation of interventions based on the best available evidence. However, this reality is complex and involves several levels of decision and intervention that oscillate from the individual responsibility of each nurse to the organizational dimension.