1.7.3 Encouraging clinician led evidence based practice within a large NHS Trust (423)

Irene Mabbott, Practice Development Co-ordinator (Evidence Based Practice), Northern General Hospital, Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust, Sheffield, United Kingdom Co authors: Cathy Soreny & Helen Beastall

Abstract:

Engaging clinicians in the process of providing evidence based care can be an onerous task especially within a large NHS organisation. Innovative methods of getting the Evidence Based Practice (EBP) message across have to be adopted to provide a safe environment for patients. Within Sheffield Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (STHFT) the mantle of EBP is pioneered by a clinician led group called the Evidence Based Council. This Council has multidisciplinary representation from all areas of the Trust and meets regularly to share good practice and generate new research, audit and service review activities.

As well as being actively involved in Trust wide projects, other Council activities include:

  • Providing expert advice in submitting research proposals and applying for ethical approval
  • Upholding the research governance framework
  • Encouraging / supporting new researchers in local and Trust wide clinical projects
  • Publicising the Council’s activities via presentations / publications
  • Facilitating sharing of good practice at conferences, local / national study days

With greater emphasis on productivity and efficiency within the NHS, the Council assists the Trust in disseminating local intelligence about projects that have been undertaken by the Council itself or by clinicians from the Council member’s areas.

Previous Council research, audit and service review activities include:

  • Role of the Clinical Librarian in supporting EBP
  • Nutritional needs of patients in an oncology unit
  • Experiences of being an outlier patient
  • Evidence base for the privacy and dignity Essence of Care benchmark
  • Barriers to research utilisation
  • Breaking bad news
  • Intravenous therapy equipment usage evaluation
  • Annual EBP educational course
  • Developing a toolkit enabling clinical staff to participate in EBP

This presentation will highlight the setup and work of the Council and how this has had a direct impact on quality patient care.

Recommended reading list:

  • Palfreyman, S, Tod, A, & Doyle, J, (2003) Learning from Experience: Promoting evidence based practice, Practice Development in Health Care, Vol. 2, No. 2, pp87-89
  • Gilsenan, I, (2004) Professional & Practice Development; What’s it all about?, Eye News, Vol.11, No. 1, June / July 2004, pp26-30
  • Marsh, G, (2000) Strengthening evidence based nursing and midwifery practice at Central Sheffield University Hospitals Trust, Monograph, Sheffield, CSUHT

Biography:

I have been in nursing since 1982 and have worked in a variety of areas including post anaesthetic care and ophthalmology. My current role of Practice Development Co-ordinator (Evidence Based Practice) enables me to encourage EBP at a grass roots level working with clinicians to help them examine their own practice. I enjoy demystifying research and EBP for all staff and am heavily involved with the Trust’s Evidence Based Council. I teach on a variety of courses including Writing for Publication workshops and Evidence Based Practice courses. I also facilitate a Trust wide “Sharing Good Practice Festival” day which enables staff to access the great works that are being undertaken across the areas and disciplines.