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Making Evidence Based Practice a Reality for Mental Health Nursing
Michelle Cleary
Clinical Associate Professor Mental Health, Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery, University of Sydney; Clinical Nurse Consultant, Research Unit, Sydney South West Area Mental Health Service (Eastern Zone), Rozelle NSW
Adele Freeman
Research Officer, Research Unit, Sydney South West (Eastern Zone) Area Mental Health Service, Rozelle NSW
Garry Walter
Chair of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, University of Sydney; Area Clinical Director, Child & Adolescent Mental Health Services, Northern Sydney Central Coast Health, North Ryde NSW
Glenn E Hunt
Discipline of Psychological Medicine, University of Sydney; Research Unit, Sydney South West (Eastern Zone) Area Health Service, Rozelle NSW
Abstract
In recent years, efforts have been directed towards making mental health nursing more evidence-based. Making evidence based practice (EBP) a reality in modern health services requires due attention to service planning and management. It is acknowledged that there are many challenges and barriers to implementing EBP as outlined in this article. However, by using an example from our mental health service and drawing upon the literature, we show that a variety of techniques can be used to incorporate EBP into everyday practice.
A combination of approaches is recommended, including education and training, leadership programs, research units, dissemination of research findings and structural changes to draw upon the expertise of key clinical, education, management and research staff.
Keywords
evidence-based practice, leadership, mental health services, research
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