Practice Development

The utilisation of research is perhaps the most important part of the R&D process for nurses endeavouring to deliver evidence based practice. This field signposts visitors to organisations and databases which support knowledge utilisation.

RCN resources

The nature of the relationship between practice development and research is often cited within nursing literature. This section provides information on knowledge utilisation and transfer within the RCN

RCN Practice Development area within the RCN web site

RCN Practice Development's mission is to enable individuals, teams and organisations to create a culture that values, sustains and enables practice development for the purpose of improving services to users. This area is still undergoing continuous development so please view the site and feel free to feedback to us via the feedback page.

Practice Development courses include:

  • A biannual international week long residential course which addresses the inter-relationship between practice development
  • research and evaluation activities
  • facilitating the move towards evidence based health care and a culture of shared governance

The course enables participants to develop skills to help them implement and evaluate changes in clinical practice at ward, unit, department or organisational level.

The expert practitioner project aims to:

  • recognise and value expertise in nursing practice
  • develop a recognition process for expertise in practice
  • develop further understanding of the concept of expertise in different specialisms within UK nursing
  • explore the links between expertise and outcomes for service users
    health care providers

Contact: Kim Manley
Email: kim.manley@rcn.org.uk

RCN National Forums

All RCN forums now have the opportunity to share information on a web site within the main RCN web site.

Website: http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/communities


RCN Clinical Leadership Programme

RCN Clinical Leadership Programme is a practical, patient-focused and needs-led programme for nurses, midwives and health visitors or any member of the multidisciplinary team. It is run in partnership between an organisation and the RCN Clinical Leadership Team to improve the quality of care patients receive.

To date 150 organisations in the UK and Europe have been involved in the Programme. An interested Trust is asked to second a local facilitator to lead the programme full time in their organisation for eighteen months. This individual will have three months' intensive preparation supported by an RCN Facilitator and a monthly action learning set throughout the programme. Key stakeholders in the organisation will also be engaged so that the programme is integrated and responsive to the organisation's strategic objectives and has maximum impact to enhance patient care locally. If you would like further information about the Programme see the details below.

Email: clinical.leadership@rcn.org.uk
Tel: 020 7647 3847
Website: http://www.rcn.org.uk/development/practice/leadership

External resources 

This section gives information about resources external to the RCN.

Foundation of Nursing Studies (FoNS) Developing Practice Subscribers' Area

This new and dynamic area of the FoNS website offers an opportunity for individuals, teams and organisations to actively network and share knowledge and expertise about effective practice development.

This initiative has developed out of the longstanding relationship between FoNS and the Developing Practice Network (DPN) (previously the Practice Development Forum). Both organisations have worked together with the common purpose of supporting practitioners involved in activities to develop practice to improve patient care. In recognition of the DPN's enduring commitment to supporting practice development and to ensure that those involved in practice development continue to have access to dynamic networking opportunities, the two organisations (FoNS and DPN) have agreed that the DPN will become part of FoNS, integrating into its networking and sharing activities. This decision has enabled the creation of this new and exciting subscription based service for individuals, teams and organisations which FoNS is committed to continuing to develop over the coming months and years.

Subscribers:

* can network easily using the live database of practitioners who are interested in, or actively involved in developing practice to improve patient care
* are able to access a variety of resources e.g. teleconferences, telephone group clinical supervision, publications

Contact: Kate Sanders
Email: subscribe@fons.org
Website: www.fons.org/dp

The Institute of Knowledge Transfer (IKT)

The IKT is an independent, democratic and not-for-profit professional body, established to promote the interests of the profession and the practice of knowledge transfer.

Knowledge transfer has developed in response to the growing need to turn cutting edge publicly-funded research and knowledge into viable business propositions quickly.

The IKT will set standards for development of the profession and address issues surrounding accreditation, certification and training. It will help knowledge transfer professionals work effectively by drawing on best international practice.

Website: www.ikt.org.uk/

King's Fund Leadership Programme
The King's Fund has more than 30 years' experience of providing distinctive and challenging leadership, management and personal development programmes. We help people working at all levels of the health service - from clinicians and nurses, to NHS chairs and chief executives - develop their leadership skills. Many of them forge links with us and with fellow participants that last for many years. Our approach includes some familiar elements, such as presentations from highly skilled, and sometimes eminent people. But our programmes are not about teaching you other people's knowledge or skills, or applying abstract theories.  Instead, our most important learning ingredient is you - and the knowledge, perceptions and assumptions you bring with you to problem-solving processes and the management of change.

Knowledge Exchange Good Practice website

The purpose of this website is to provide a dynamic resource for all those involved in higher education knowledge transfer and exchange to share and advance good practice, thereby enhancing the effectiveness and impact of higher education Knowledge transfer and exchange activity.

Website: www.kegoodpractice.org/index.php


Knowledge Utilization Colloquia Archive

The purpose of the Knowledge Utilization Colloquium is to move the science of knowledge utilization forward in a focused and strategic way, leading to concrete outputs that extend our conceptual and theoretical development, and ultimately practice in knowledge utilization. The archive website is a record of the various colloquia that have occurred.

Website: www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/ku/


Knowledge Utilization Studies in Practice (KUSP) - Canada

KUSP is a funded health research program focusing on nursing and the social sciences. The purpose of the KUSP research program is to develop knowledge and research utilization theory that can be used to increase the use of research by nurses and other allied health professionals to improve patient and client health outcomes.

Website: www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/


Knowledge Utilization Resource Guide

This resource guide was developed in 2004 in response to the increased interest in, and the challenges of, linking research about KU with other disciplines. It aims to highlight resources that can help answer some common questions such as: What is knowledge utilization? How is knowledge utilization accomplished in organization? How does knowledge utilization shape policy implementation? How do the determinants of knowledge utilization vary across levels of decision-making?” Plans are underway to update this resource in 2007/08.

Website: www.nursing.ualberta.ca/kusp/Resources_Guide.htm

Research Transfer Network of Alberta (RTNA)

RTNA is a province-wide network of people interested and engaged in health research transfer. Their goal is to strengthen the use of research findings to improve health policy and practices in Alberta by:

  • Enhancing the abilities of health professionals to do research transfer
  • Fostering partnerships and mentorships to contribute to health research transfer
  • Exchanging knowledge and expertise on health research transfer with provincial and national organizations.

Everyone with an interest in improving health and health care is welcome. Membership is free.

Website: www.ahfmr.ab.ca/rtna/