I found this article to be very interesting. The article explained how nurses have a vast selection of resources to strengthen their understanding and use of research and evidence in their practice. It was noted that community nurses in particular may greatly benefit from finding such research and applying it to their practice. A community nurse is a nurse, whose specialty focuses on specific groups within the population, including individual families or the entire community. A community nurse will generally educate these specific groups in the area of health care prevention, nutrition, immunizations, disease prevention, and family concerns.
The article noted that community nurses may desire to be involved in research associated to their specialty of practice but find it hard to do so because of lack of time and the lack of access to reliable resources. The article noted that research skills can be learned through on the job training. Nurses can also approach experienced researchers and subject experts in college universities and the like. This allows benefits for practice, research and professional development. Long term conditions such as COPD, can benefit greatly from the assistance of community care nurses.
COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) is a condition that makes breathing very difficult and is one of the most common lung diseases. (A. D. A. M. Inc. , 2013) There are two main forms of COPD which are; chronic bronchitis and emphysema. Chronic bronchitis involves a long-term cough with mucus and emphysema involves the destruction of the lungs over time. Most COPD suffers have a combination of both conditions. COPD suffers can benefit greatly from a community care nurse. There is a lot of research to be conducted on this topic.
People with COPD experience loneliness and distinguishes a need for support within their home. The breathlessness associated with COPD produces panic within the patient, resulting in emotional support. Community nurses that specialize in COPD can really benefit the community by researching the latest treatment available. The article went on to conclude that in order for the evidence to make a positive impact on society, determination and hard work is a must to ensure that the new knowledge expressed must be changed into accessible and usable messages that can be put into practice.
Most significantly, this research was done gradually, with the community nursing team having input to how things could be managed successfully within the resources available. Spectators noted that if COPD sufferers received more consistent support in relation to information, rehabilitation, end of life care and other services, their quality of life could be strengthened. Also noted was the result from better planning produced more integrated support for home-based self care management and reduced patient anxiety and stress related to COPD.
Three main learning points about the article was summarized and expressed in this way: 1) Development of research and evidence-based practice skills relevant to community nurses can be gained through on the job learning. 2) Developing collaborative research partnerships with experience nurse educators, researchers, and community nurses can generate evidence for practice and may influence appropriate changes for improved patient outcomes. 3) Research evidence may be more useable at the point of care delivery when generated and broadcasted through a clinical and academic collaborative evidence-based practice representation.