Discussion: Framing a Practice Problem as a Critical Question With Measurable Outcomes

• Throughout this course you have focused on practice problems to address in applying nursing and interdisciplinary theories, and in the application of evidence-based practice for quality improvement. This week you begin exploring the components of evidence-based practice by framing a practice problem as a critical question. You will begin a search of the literature for evidence to answer the question and inform a practice change for quality improvement.

• Photo Credit: steheap / Adobe Stock

To prepare:

• Identify the practice problem as the focus of your Discussion post. You may use the same practice problem from earlier weeks or a different one.
• Review the chapter on practice questions in the Dang and Dearholt text and the Week 7 Media. With guidance from the Learning Resources, cast your practice problem as a critical question.
• Search the Walden Library for 2–3 scholarly articles that address your critical question.
• Analyze the articles to identify evidence that would guide quality improvement.
• Return to the stakeholders that were the audience for your Module 3 Assignment. Identify the specific quality improvement component in the evidence. Then consider how you would present it to that set of stakeholders to secure agreement and action.

With these thoughts in mind …

By Day 3 of Week 7

Post a brief explanation of your critical question. Then, summarize the 2–3 articles you identified that address your critical question. Using the same language you would use with stakeholders, explain the critical question and the value of addressing it as a quality improvement initiative. Be specific. Cite the scholarly articles and other resources to support your post.

Read a selection of your colleagues’ posts.

By Day 6 of Week 7

Respond to at least two of your colleagues on 2 different days by suggesting a different way of framing their critical question. Cite sources to support your posts and recommend to colleagues.