The implementation of a structured communication tool
Think of a research problem. It can be from a frustrating experience you have had as a nurse, from a personal/family experience, or something that you’ve identified from the readings, nursing research websites, etc.
Write a PICOT Question to address the problem.
Describe the problem area and how you came to it. Describe why you think this is an important issue.
Support your statements by referencing the nursing research website, book, article, etc.
Book:
https://pressbooks.umn.edu/evidencebasedpractice/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tuUObTJYH8M
P.I.C.O. (T). Model for Clinical Questions
Patient, Population, or Problem How would I describe a group of patients similar to mine? What are the most important characteristics of the patient? Primary problem, disease, co-existing condition? Sex, age, or ethnicity?
Intervention, Issue Which main intervention, prognostic factor, or exposure am I considering? What do you want to do for the patient? Prescribe a drug? Order a test? Is this a system change?
Comparison of Intervention or comparison group What is the main alternative to compare with the intervention? Are you trying to decide between two drugs, a drug and no medication or placebo, or two diagnostic tests? Your clinical question may not always have a specific comparison.
Outcome What can I hope to accomplish, measure, improve or affect? What are you trying to do for the patient? What change in the system? Safety, quality improvement, risk reduction? Relieve or eliminate the symptoms? Reduce the number of adverse events? Improve function or test scores?
Time (optional) When will it be accomplished?
Decide on a specific type of study participant (P), an intervention or issue (I) and outcome (O) that will be the focus of the systematic review. Comparison (C) and time (T) are optional.
Develop an initial PICOT question to guide your search. For example:
Among men with multiple sclerosis (P) how does a tailored education program (I) affect self-management of multiple sclerosis (O) one month following the program (T)?
Among women post CABG (P) how does a cardiac rehabilitation program (I) affect cardiac self-efficacy (O) following an eight week program (T)?
Among family members of patients undergoing a procedure (P) how does listening to tranquil music (I) affect self-reported anxiety (O) within 15 minutes of listening to the music (T)?
PICOT Question:
Among healthcare workers (P) in a hospital setting, how does the implementation of a structured communication tool (I) compared to standard communication methods (C) affect patient safety outcomes (O) over a six-month period (T)?
Description of the Problem:
As a nurse, I have encountered numerous instances where miscommunication and lack of structured communication methods have led to adverse patient outcomes. These experiences, coupled with the readings and research I have come across, have highlighted the importance of effective communication in healthcare settings.
In the book “Evidence-Based Practice: An Integrative Approach to Research, Administration, and Practice,” it is emphasized that effective communication is crucial for patient safety and quality care delivery. The authors highlight the need for structured communication tools to improve interdisciplinary communication, prevent errors, and enhance patient outcomes.
Additionally, the article “Improving Communication Among Healthcare Providers: A Practical Guide” emphasizes that breakdowns in communication are a leading cause of medical errors and adverse events. It suggests that implementing structured communication tools can improve information sharing, reduce errors, and enhance patient safety.
Importance of the Issue:
Effective communication is fundamental to providing safe and quality care to patients. Poor communication among healthcare professionals can lead to misunderstandings, delays in treatment, medication errors, and adverse events. These consequences not only harm patients but also impact the overall healthcare system.
By addressing the problem of ineffective communication through the implementation of structured communication tools, we can foster a culture of safety and collaboration in healthcare settings. This can lead to improved patient outcomes, reduced medical errors, enhanced interdisciplinary teamwork, and ultimately contribute to a more efficient and effective healthcare system.
The PICOT question outlined above will guide further research into the effectiveness of structured communication tools in improving patient safety outcomes among healthcare workers in a hospital setting. By investigating this question, we can gather evidence to support the implementation of such tools and advocate for their integration into standard practice.