In order to test evidence-based interventions and determine the facilitators and barriers to evidence-based practice, translation science employs multiple methods (Titler, Adams, & Cameron, 2014). Some of them include bundles of care, which refer to groups of practices that benefit from being implemented together, clinical pathways, which can be described as step-by-step care plans; and decision support, which is a technology-based method that focuses on providing healthcare professionals with the information about particular cases and related care (Terhaar, 2016). All the mentioned methods have their benefits and disadvantages.
The primary plus of bundles is the fact that they offer comprehensive solutions to problems, but Terhaar (2016) states that they are typically meant for very specific outcomes, which limits their applicability. Clinical pathways are generally simple to use and assist in decision-making, but they might be overly simplistic or general, which is why Terhaar (2016) suggests that every implementation team needs to evaluate pathways to determine their applicability.
Finally, decision support is advantageous because it employs modern technologies to help healthcare providers in a variety of ways (including, for example, automated order sets) (Terhaar, 2016). However, all the vulnerabilities of modern technologies are inherited by decision support, and they need to be addressed in order to employ this method.
It is apparent that the mentioned disadvantages should not discourage potential users from employing the mentioned methods; rather, they need to be taken into account for more successful adoption. Advanced nursing practice can benefit greatly from the suggested approaches to translation science, as well as other ones (Titler et al., 2014). By improving the awareness of the options that are offered by translation science and using the methods that are appropriate to relevant challenges and issues, advanced practice nurses can develop a translation science-focused culture at their workplace.
References
Terhaar, M. (2016). Methods for translation. In C. White, S. Dudley-Brown & M. Terhaar (Eds.), Translation of evidence into nursing and health care (pp. 159-182). New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.
Titler, M. G., Adams, S., & Cameron, C. (2014). Developing and evidence-informed practice. In G. LoBiondo-Wood, G. Haber, J. Cameron & M. Singh (Eds.), Nursing research in Canada (pp. 479-512). Amsterdam, Netherlands: Elsevier Health Sciences.