Most Effective Dissemination Strategies
It is essential to note that my preferred dissemination strategy is publication in peer-reviewed journals. This strategy is a method of sharing my findings and ideas with a range of people who are interested in the subject. Moreover, the significance of this strategy lies in the fact that it allows for the exchange of evidence-based practice (EBP).
Accordingly, when I publish research in reputable journals, I draw attention to the problem and can attract a broad audience to solve it (Melnyk et al., 2017). This is possible because the research must be based on valid and sufficient evidence, which can increase the visibility and credibility of EBP. Additionally, the advantage of peer-reviewed sources is that they allow users to access an article for many years (Melnyk et al., 2017). Hence, people can retrieve research outcomes and compare them to create their own assessment of the quality of various articles.
Another dissemination strategy I would like to employ is presenting at the departmental or organizational level. The value of this approach lies in its facilitation of research sharing among colleagues within the healthcare facility (Gallagher-Ford et al., 2011). Meanwhile, healthcare staff can refer to their own practice and case studies to support or refute the evidence. Accordingly, presentations at the unit or organizational level provide an opportunity to communicate directly with the target audience and facilitate discussion and understanding of EBP (Gallagher-Ford et al., 2011). It can also help to update information and get feedback to improve problem-solving.
Less Effective Dissemination Strategies
However, I believe that poster presentations are not the most effective strategy for dissemination. Although it may be necessary during conferences or symposia, the dissemination of EBPs has a limited impact on the audience when it is widely disseminated (Newhouse et al., 2007). The disadvantage is that poster presentations usually provide a brief overview of research results and may not allow for in-depth discussion or exploration of EBP. Therefore, the information needs to be more extensive and permit stakeholders to explore and verify it in depth.
Barriers to Dissemination and Strategies to Overcome Them
Furthermore, the strategies I am most inclined to use may face obstacles. For example, not all stakeholders have access to peer-reviewed journals through paid subscriptions (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). Thus, this may affect the dissemination of information, and readers may not be able to familiarize themselves with it.
Nevertheless, it is possible to overcome these barriers by uploading the EBP manuscript to preprint servers (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2023). This will provide all interested parties with access to the data, allowing them to evaluate it. It is also possible to use the institutional repositories of the organization. This method can also enable people without paid subscriptions to access evidence-based information.
One of the common barriers to implementing EBP is resistance to change. Even the use of presentations at the organizational or departmental level can cause negative attitudes among some healthcare providers. Therefore, providing clear and concise summaries so that all employees can get a brief explanation of the EBP findings can be used. This may encourage them to take some time to analyze the topic and always receive relevant information.
Additionally, involving opinion leaders in the dissemination process can help overcome resistance and increase the acceptance of EBP. This will help to communicate the significance of EBP to all staff and reduce resistance. Consequently, these strategies can help overcome barriers and raise awareness of pressing issues in the healthcare community, informed by evidence.
References
Gallagher-Ford, L., Fineout-Overholt, E., Melnyk, B. M., & Stillwell, S. B. (2011). Implementing an evidence-based practice change: Beginning the transformation from an idea to reality. American Journal of Nurses, 11(3), 54-60.
Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2023). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (5th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.
Melnyk, B. M., Fineout‐Overholt, E., Giggleman, M., & Choy, K. (2017). A test of the ARCC© model improves implementation of evidence‐based practice, healthcare culture, and patient outcomes. Worldviews on Evidence‐Based Nursing, 14(1), 5-9.
Newhouse, R. P., Dearholt, S., Poe, S., Pugh, L. C., & White, K. M. (2007). Organizational change strategies for evidence-based practice. JONA: The Journal of Nursing Administration, 37(12), 552-557.