The relationship between theory, practice and research
The relationship between theory, practice and research all plays an important and synergistic role in practice. Nursing theories help to guide practice by helping nurses clarify their beliefs and values about human health processes as well as seeking an awareness of patient care approaches (Younas & Quennell, 2019). Evidenced based research helps to prove the importance of these theories within practice for improved outcomes for patients. Nursing depends on theory and research which then guides practice. Younas and Quennell (2019) states that the interrelationship between theory, practice and research is crucial for knowledge development. Cronin et al. (2021) states that the role of theory itself in research within an organization can often be identified as being in crisis. This means simply that there is a problem identified that needs research to find a solution for best care practice. Basically, something isn’t working, and a solution is needed to improve care. When a theory is presented because of a problem identified in practice, then requiring research to come up with a solution. It comes back around full circle, introducing the research back into practice with new processes and changes. Research does not always have to be an extensive process though. As nurses, participating in activities at work such as audits, quality improvement projects, and service evaluations are all a part of research to help improve practice (Chalmers, 2022). Research allows for us to see what is works and what additional changes need to be made to help make the improvements.
We are all a part of change within the healthcare system adding in our own research and development daily. Today’s healthcare system is more monitored than ever with us continually being required to hit standards for patient movement and outcomes. For example, the idea that a patient can be seen in an ER, admitted and moved to a floor within a certain amount of time is based on a theory. The theory has been thoroughly researched and now is practice standard. The problem with systems like this is that they do not account for hospital overflows, understaffing, lack of beds available, and even patient differences. These theories and research are based in a perfect system with no flaws. We all know that healthcare has many flaws, and the system never works the same way twice. The research that came out of these theories have produced changes within practice. One can argue that these changes are not helpful and often detrimental to practice where we are limiting our time with our patients and spending too much time in front of a screen, practicing medicine from a distance essentially. We are forced to limit the interactions with the patient and sometimes even miss important information that could potentially change a diagnosis or treatment for a patient. The initial theory was meant for improved throughput for patients and research showed that it could make those improvements for the patients, but the practice is now showing the problems within the system and in time will require reevaluation and adjustments.
Theory, research, and practice has always guided nurses. Nursing care is based on theory and research for improved outcomes within our practice generating and testing the theories presented. The research behind testing the theories helps to strengthen our knowledge and understanding improving our practice.
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