Evidence-based practice projects are based on the spirit of inquiry of practitioners (nurses or physicians) and existing research from other practitioners. When planning research projects, it is imperative to use a framework that can provide a map of the elements and questions that will require attention and to be addressed to ensure the success of the project (Christenbery et al., 2019). This manuscript will describe the Stetler Model and how it will be used to develop and implement this evidence-based project.
Selected Model or Framework for Change & Benefits
As stated earlier, the selected model is the Stetler Model. This model was chosen because of its simplicity, critical thinking focus, and how similar it is to the nursing process. This model was first published in 1976, with two later revisions in 2001 and 2010 (Melnik & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). The Stetler Model contains five phases, each phase contains questions and critical thinking tips designed to facilitate safe and effective use of research findings (Stetler, 2001). This model is also practitioner-oriented because focuses on the use of findings by the individual practitioner/group of practitioners and it uses internal and external evidence. Another benefit of using this model is that validates patients’ preferences and wishes and counts it as interval evidence that can be used to evaluate outcomes and achieve best practice. Again, the model focuses on enhancing the interaction between patients and providers based on its attributes as patient-centered and provider-driven.
Stages of the Change Model: Stetler Model
The Stetler model allows nurse practitioners to evaluate how to implement research evidence in clinical practice in creating change that focuses on and promotes patient-centric care. The model entails five steps or phases. These include preparation, validation, comparative evaluation and decision-making, translation or application, and evaluation. The preparation phase entails identifying the priority needs and purpose of the project (Karl & Mion, 2020). These include the context or setting and relevant sources of evidence.
The validation stage assesses the sources of evidence to attain their level and overall quality (Stetler, 2001). This includes determining if they have merit and whether they should be accepted based on the purpose of the project. The stage assists in reducing errors in making critical decisions and categorization of evidence. The third stage requires a comparative analysis or evaluation and decision-making on the evidence findings where the practitioner or organization logically summarizes the outcomes of the research search. The stage entails highlighting the similarities and differences in the evaluated sources of evidence (Christenbery, 2019). During this stage, the organization determines if it is acceptable and feasible to implement the findings in clinical practice to improve patient care and processes.
The fourth stage is the translation or application where the provider or organization develops strategies for the implementation of the summarized results and evidence from existing literature. The stage implores the provider and organization to identify core implications that justify the use of these findings to create change in care practice (Melnik et al., 2018). The fifth stage is about evaluating the expected outcomes of the project and determining if it has attained the set goals. The implication is that the evaluation should ascertain if the project was successfully implemented to attain its goals and aspirations for change in the organization. Each phase of the model is designed to facilitate critical thinking on the practical use of the research findings, lead to the use of evidence in the context of daily clinical practice and reduce or prevent any human errors arising from decision-making.
Application of the Model in Proposed Implementation
The model is critical to the implementation of the proposed EBP project in the practice setting to create meaningful changes in processes and patient outcomes through improved efficiencies and workflow while integrating patient-centered needs and addressing their core concerns. The application of the model will entail identifying the EBP change project’s purpose. In this case, it entails improving processes and patient outcomes through efficiency and workflow practices. Further, at this stage, searching for relevant sources of evidence would also occur through the evaluation of existing literature on past studies. A core aspect at this stage would be the development of a PICOT question framework to guide the EBP project proposal (Karl et al., 2020). The PICOT framework identifies the population or problem, the intervention, the comparison with another aspect, outcome
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