How Research and EBP are Different

• Explain how research has evolved since the Florence Nightingale era.
• Discuss how research and EBP are different; include how you believe research supports EBP for nursing.
• Describe one past/historical unethical breach of research conduct; then, share how you would ensure care of a study participant using one ethical or legal research consideration (guideline/principle).

1. Evolution of Research since the Florence Nightingale Era: Research in the field of nursing and healthcare has evolved significantly since the time of Florence Nightingale in the 19th century. During Nightingale’s era, research in nursing was in its infancy, and the focus was primarily on observational data collection, often without the rigor and methodology seen in contemporary research. Since then, several key developments have occurred:

• Emergence of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP): One of the most significant changes has been the shift towards evidence-based practice (EBP). EBP integrates research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient values to make informed healthcare decisions. This approach has revolutionized nursing care, making it more patient-centered and based on the best available evidence.
• Advancements in Research Methodologies: Modern nursing research incorporates rigorous methodologies, including experimental designs, systematic reviews, and meta-analyses. These methods allow for more reliable and valid findings, helping nurses make informed decisions about patient care.
• Technology and Data Analysis: Advancements in technology have transformed data collection and analysis. Nurses now have access to electronic health records, telemedicine, and various data analysis tools, enabling them to gather and analyze data more efficiently.
• Ethical Considerations: Ethical guidelines and review boards have been established to ensure the protection of human subjects in research. These developments have helped prevent unethical research practices.
• Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Nursing research has increasingly become interdisciplinary, involving collaborations with other healthcare professionals, researchers, and experts from various fields, leading to a broader perspective and more comprehensive research.

2. Research vs. Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in Nursing: Research and EBP are closely related but have distinct differences:

• Research: Research in nursing involves the systematic investigation of questions or hypotheses, leading to the generation of new knowledge. It often includes designing studies, collecting data, and analyzing results. The primary goal is to contribute to the body of knowledge in the field.
• EBP: EBP is the application of the best available research evidence, clinical expertise, and patient preferences to make informed healthcare decisions. It involves integrating research findings into clinical practice, ensuring that patient care is based on the most up-to-date and relevant evidence.

Research supports EBP by providing the foundation of evidence that informs clinical decision-making. EBP relies on the findings of rigorous research studies to guide practice and improve patient outcomes. The relationship between research and EBP is symbiotic, as research generates the evidence that EBP uses to improve patient care.

3. Historical Unethical Breach of Research Conduct: One historical example of an unethical breach of research conduct is the Tuskegee Syphilis Study, conducted in the United States from 1932 to 1972. In this study, African American men with syphilis were left untreated for decades, even after effective treatments became available. The participants were not informed about the study’s true purpose and were denied appropriate medical care, leading to unnecessary suffering and harm.
4. Ensuring Care of a Study Participant Using Ethical or Legal Research Consideration: To ensure the care of a study participant, it is essential to follow ethical principles and legal guidelines. One such consideration is informed consent. Informed consent ensures that participants are fully aware of the study’s purpose, procedures, potential risks, and benefits and voluntarily agree to participate. To apply this principle, you should:

• Provide clear and understandable information to the participant about the study, including its objectives and what participation entails.
• Allow the participant to ask questions and seek clarifications.
• Ensure that the participant has the capacity to make an informed decision, and, if not, involve a legally authorized representative.
• Obtain a written informed consent document signed by the participant or their representative.
• Maintain ongoing communication with the participant throughout the study, ensuring they can withdraw their consent at any time without repercussions.

By adhering to informed consent guidelines, you demonstrate respect for the participant’s autonomy and ensure their well-being during the research process, avoiding the ethical breaches seen in historical studies like the Tuskegee Syphilis Study.