The first step in addressing any practice or clinical problem is the clear identification of the problem.
“As the knowledge cycle takes a planned-action approach, the first step can often involve a group or individual identifying that there is a problem or issue that deserves attention and searching for knowledge or research that might address the problem. Once relevant information is identified, it is then critically appraised to determine its validity and usefulness for the problem at hand. Alternatively, a group or individual may start by identifying or becoming aware of the knowledge (e.g., a practice guideline) and then determining whether there is a knowledge-practice gap that needs filling with the identified knowledge” (Graham, et al., 2006, p. 20).
Instructions
Your Knowledge to Action (KTA) Problem Identification Paper assignment is a formal, scholarly paper written in APA (7th ed.) format and includes a title page, body of the paper written using headings to separate the main sections of the text, and a reference list. The text (excluding the title page and references) of a typical problem identification paper is about 3pages long.
Requirements:
· Select a specific practice or clinical problem on which to focus for this paper.
· Have a title that reflects the problem or issue (the title should not be “Problem Identification Paper”)
· Begin with an introduction to the context of the problem or issue in order to provide a perspective. The introduction is the “big picture” of the problem or issue.
· Describe the practice where the problem exists. Is it a large 1000-bed medical center or a small community clinic that sees low-risk pregnant women?
· What aspects of the practice are affected by this problem? Why is it a problem?
· Describe the problem in sufficient detail that someone NOT part of the practice would understand it (like your instructor).
· Conclude with a description of the implications of the problem or issue.
· Be sure to list the references for all text citations on a reference list.
Week 6 part 2
The second step in addressing any practice or clinical problem is to assess the potential challenges and impact of change on the practice.
Next comes a phase involving adapting the knowledge to the local context. By this we mean the process individuals or groups g.o through as they make decisions about the value, usefulness, and appropriateness of particular knowledge to their setting and circumstances. It also encompasses those activities that they may engage in to tailor or customize the knowledge to their particular situation. The process may be more or less formal but is a critical step; as Huberman noted many years ago, research is not used as a can opener is used. “Generic knowledge is seldom taken directly off the shelf and applied without some sort of vetting or tailoring to the local context” (Graham, et al, 2006, p. 20).
Directions for the KTA Practice SWOT Analysis
Your Knowledge to Action (KTA) Practice SWOT Analysis assignment is the summary of the results of an assessment of the 1) Strengths, 2) Weaknesses, 3) Opportunities, and 4) Threats from the change that is being proposed. This is an analysis for the process of change and what might support or interfere with it. The assignment should be submitted as a formal paper that includes a SWOT chart and provides a narrative description of the practice setting and the problem (adapted from Part 1 of the KTA Proposal).
Requirements:
· Have a title that reflects the assignment (the title should not be “SWOT Analysis”)
· Describe the practice. For example, a nurse-managed heart failure clinic with four NPs; medical center based agency that provides home hospice care; etc.
· A list of the strengths of the practice that would support change (based on the knowledge-to-action implementation).
· A list of the weaknesses of the practice that would resist change (based on the knowledge-to-action implementation)
· A list of opportunities that a change might potentiate (based on the knowledge-to-action implementation).
· A list of threats a change might create (based on the knowledge-to-action implementation).
Week 7 part 3
Now on to the last parts of the Knowledge to Action (KTA) process.
The next phase, which is the one usually equated with the concept of dissemination or transfer strategies, is about planning and executing interventions to facilitate and promote awareness and implementation of the knowledge. This involves selecting and tailoring interventions to the identified barriers and audiences (Graham, et al, 2006, p. 20).
The evidence, while limited, is fairly consistent that change is more likely to occur with more planned and focused interventions. For example, barriers for potential adopters may be related to knowledge, attitudes, skills, habits, or the like. (Graham, et al, 2006, p. 21).
Directions for the KTA Intervention and Evaluation Paper
Your KTA Intervention and Evaluation assignment is a formal, scholarly paper written in APA (7th ed.) format, including a title page, use of headings and subheadings to separate the main sections of the text, in-text citation of sources, and a reference list. The text (excluding the title page and references) of a typical intervention and evaluation paper is about 5 pages long.
The paper should address the following:
· Have a title that reflects the problem or issue (the title should not be “Intervention and Evaluation Paper”)
· Begin with the problem or issue that the intervention will address.
· Describe the intervention.
· Describe how the intervention will address the problem or issue.
· Describe the process for implementing the intervention.
· Who is involved? How does it start? How is it rolled out? When is it complete?
· Describe how the success of the intervention will be assessed (How will you know if it worked?)
· Could be a process evaluation (Everyone is using the new policy).
· Could be an outcome evaluation (Errors decreased by 22%).
· Could be a direct measure (The intervention to decrease infection rates decreased infection rates).
· Could be an indirect measure (The new grad mentoring program has decreased the use of PTO for illness for the mentees AND mentors).
· Describe the timeline or time frame for the evaluation (when will it occur?)
· Remember, changes need to be ” refrozenLinks to an external site..”
· Conclude with a description of potential barriers or roadblocks to the change.
· Be sure to list the references for all text citations on a reference list.
