Various Models for Imrpoving Nursing Practices and Procedures

The Iowa model, developed by Titler in 1994, focuses on organization and collaboration incorporating conduct and use of research, along with other types of evidence (Titler et al, 2001). Since its origin in 1994, it has been continually referenced in nursing journal articles and extensively used in clinical research programs (LoBiondo-Wood and Haber, 2006). This model allows us to focus on knowledge and problem-focused triggers, leading staff to question current nursing practices and whether care can be improved through the use of current research findings (Titler, 2006). In using the Iowa model, there are seven steps to follow: (1) selection of a topic or problem for evidence-based practice, (2) forming a team, (3) Evidence retrieval, (4) Grading the Evidence, (5) Developing an EBP Standard, (6) Implement the EBP, and (7) Evaluation (Titler et al, 2001.

Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice extensively has been used in nursing focusing on assessing, developing, implementing, and evaluating evidence based practice protocols or guidelines; however, there are many sources of knowledge rather than evidenced based knowledge e.g. clinical experience, patient experience, and local data or information. Varaei, Salsali, Cheraghi, Tehrani, & Heshmat (2013) used IOWA model to assess the effect of evidence based nursing education program on the knowledge, attitude, and practice of nurses who take care of patient with diabetes foot ulcer in Iran. After implementing the education intervention, the nurses’ performance in caring for patient with diabetes foot ulcer, nurses’ knowledge, and attitude improved. Using IOWA model, Haxton, Doering, Gingras, & Kelly (2012) implemented skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth for healthy term...

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...cation dates of the studies discussed in this paper shows that Knowledge to Action Framework, Roger’s Diffusion of Innovation Model, and Promoting Acting on Research Implementation Model and Iowa Model of Evidence-Based Practice are the currently models and frameworks used in nursing and nursing relevant studies. It is observed that OMRU and Stetler Model of Research Utilization utilization in the current studies.

Finally, there is a need for the discussed models to be tested and refined through empirical studies.

Limitations

This discussion review recruited selected studies to serve the purpose of this discussion. It was not systematic review that reviewed all nursing relevant studies guided by one or more knowledge translation theories, models, and frameworks. The search was in Pubmed data base only, and the qualities of the studies were not evaluated.