Paolo Colet, PhD, MAN, RN, RM*

Assistant Professor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine

paolo.colet@nu.edu.kz

*Corresponding author

Joseph Almazan, DNSc, MPM, MAN, RN

Assistant Professor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine

Alma Syzdykova, MD, MSc, MBA

Director of Science and Education Department at the University Medical Center

Anargul Kuntuganova, MBA

Instructor, Nazarbayev University, School of Medicine

Aurelija Blaževičienė, PhD, RN

Professor, Lithuanian University of Health Science, Faculty of Nursing, Lithuania

Introduction

Nurses are continuously in pursuit of moving health care to evidence-based practice (EBP). What does that mean for nurses?

It means that we are constantly looking for the best evidence to guide our decisions about patient care. While quantitative research is valuable, it is not the only tool; there is also qualitative research which plays a significant contribution. It can be used to build on the evidence from quantitative studies and explore topics that can’t be easily measured.

This blog will explain why qualitative research is important in advancing EBP.

Photo by Scott Graham on Unsplash

What is Qualitative Research, its Benefits, and Challenges?

Qualitative research helps nurses understand and acknowledge patients’ experiences. It provides a detailed view of the patient that can’t be gleaned from quantitative data alone. This kind of research is critical in the field of nursing, where decisions are made on a daily basis that can impact patients’ health and well-being.

Qualitative research has been widely used in healthcare to understand better how patients experience healthcare services. Qualitative nursing research allows nurses to get a more in-depth understanding of their patient’s experiences. This type of research can help identify patients’ preferences and how their experiences can be improved. By identifying what matters most to patients, we can provide more tailored care to their needs.

But conducting qualitative research is not without its challenges. One of the biggest obstacles is finding participants willing to share their experiences honestly and openly. Another challenge is ensuring that data is appropriately analyzed and applied to enhance patient care. Nevertheless, qualitative data remains a powerful tool in advancing evidence-based nursing.

Why Is It Important to Advance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice?

EBP is vital in nursing. It allows us to make data-backed decisions considering our clinical expertise and the latest research. But did you know that there’s still a lot of work to be done to advance EBP?

That’s right—despite the many advances made over the years, EBP is still not as widely adopted as we would like it to be. One of the causes for this is a scarcity of high-quality research. And that’s where qualitative nursing research comes in.

Qualitative nursing research is essential for advancing our understanding of how nurses make decisions in practice and how we can help them make even better decisions in the future. It also provides us with valuable insights into the real-world experiences of nurses and their patients. Such research is critical for improving nursing education, practice, and policy.

How Can Qualitative Nursing Research Help to Advance Evidence-Based Nursing Practice?

Qualitative research is important because it helps nurses to understand their patients better. By understanding their patients, nurses can generate information that can help to inform clinical decisions. This ultimately results in enhanced patient care.

Finally, organizational support for EBP use by nurses is the most crucial component. If nurses feel supported in EBP, they are more likely to use it, leading to better patient outcomes.

Conclusion

Qualitative nursing research provides an in-depth understanding of a particular phenomenon and helps explain human beings’ complexities and experiences. This type of research is important for advancing evidence-based nursing practice and can help to improve patient care.

Studying qualitative nursing research may be the most significant way to advance your nursing career if you are a nurse. This type of research is critical for comprehending human experiences and providing high-quality health care. If you’re interested in learning more, join us as we advance qualitative nursing research in Kazakhstan.

References

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