The Applications For Practice-Based Research In Healthcare
By Sumona
A practice-based approach to healthcare combines clinical practice with research. It involves the application of research findings from various scientific fields to clinical practice with the goal of improving patient outcomes and healthcare processes.
In this approach, researchers and medical staff work together to identify areas of interest, analyze the data together, and circulate their findings to others in healthcare to improve processes. The focus of the practice-based approach is to support the decisions made in clinical settings, optimize services delivered, and enhance patient experiences and treatments. Applications in practice-based research include clinical decision-making, quality improvement, patient safety, health policy, and patient-centered care.
Clinical decision-making
Clinical decision-making in practice-based research uses research data to help form clinical decisions. The medical team evaluates research evidence and integrates the data into their decisions about patient care. It is imperative that clinicians are constantly updating their knowledge of the latest research so that they can give the best treatment possible.
One example of how this approach is used would be a physician treating a patient with a chronic condition such as diabetes. The physician would review the latest research on the subject, including the latest technologies and treatments, while also taking into consideration the patient’s history. This allows a multi-faceted approach that integrates the latest innovations with the patient’s lifestyle, abilities, mobility and other patient-centered information to make the best decision and most appropriate treatment plan.
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Quality improvement
Practice-based research is useful in assessing the quality of care being provided and offering solutions for areas that need improvement. In practice-based research, quality improvement means using research results and existing data to find ways of improving practices, implementing changes, and evaluating how those changes affect patient outcomes. Quality improvement is also designed to reduce errors and optimize service delivery.
One example of how quality improvement can be gleaned from practice-based research is a healthcare organization that notices a high rate of infections acquired at a hospital. Once the staff reviews the latest research and consult with the rest of the medical team, processes such as additional cleaning protocols can be put in place.
The staff may start tracking the infections and comparing the data to see similarities. This research can also be done in the form of patient surveys and questionnaires. The approach is constantly being monitored and evaluated, so that any changes can be implemented quickly and effectively.
Patient safety
Practice-based research can identify potential safety issues and help develop interventions to improve patient safety. It is aimed at reducing the risk of harm to patients during healthcare delivery by using research data to create safer practices. Patient safety is critical in healthcare, and measures are put in place to minimize any events or complications that can otherwise occur.
Practice-based research is used to identify safety concerns in healthcare organizations and what impact of the safety interventions will have on staff and patients. It also involves monitoring the safety measures regularly and making any adjustments needed to reduce or eradicate any negative impact. The goal of this approach is to create safe environments and processes, promote secure behaviors and practices, and learn from errors to improve future care delivery.
One example of how safety for patients is integrated with practice-based research is the implementation of barcodes for medications. The barcode is added to the medical bracelet or the chart of the patient and is scanned when medication is needed. This decreases errors in administering medication and helps keep track of medications used.
Health policy
Practice-based research can make a difference in the development of health policy by providing data about health outcomes, the costs and benefits of new treatments, and the effectiveness of existing healthcare policies. The research consists of data that can be analyzed to design a policy that is aimed at improving healthcare. The analysis of research in health policy can help identify the gaps and areas that are in need of improvement and provide evidence-based data to back up the changes.
One example of how health policy in practice-based research works is the analysis of the impact that Medicaid expansion has on the care of individual patients. The research involved would include results of studies evaluating the impact at different levels of the population, such as local, state, and national. These research studies can help develop a policy to inform all stakeholders of the possible implications and required resources of such a policy change.
Patient-centered care
Patient-centered care is a holistic approach to healthcare where the patient’s needs, preferences, capabilities, and experiences are taken into account when creating a treatment plan. It considers the physical and emotional well-being of the patient, as well as family life and resources available. In practice-based research, this type of care can be evaluated using records of treatment results, patient satisfaction through surveys or interviews, and patterns of use.
One example of patient-centered care in practice-based research includes shared decision-making tools that allow the patient and medical team to explore different treatment options with risks and benefits. This tool provides individualized communication and coordination between the patient, their family and caregivers, and the medical staff. The analysis can be measured in patient satisfaction, treatment outcomes, and the overall success of the medical plan.
When it comes to excellence in patient care, practice-based research is very effective in providing the necessary evidence to back up suggestions in policy or medical treatment. This approach combines the experience of treating patients in the field with the data that is collected from research in a particular area. With this holistic approach, all bases are covered, and the result is a well-thought-out standard of care.
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