Tools for Integrating the Best Information
The inclusion of evidence-based approaches into health systems and communities can result in better medical outcomes. Several tools can help caregivers “integrate the best information with public health policy and practice” (Fielding and Briss 976). The first tool is the Health Impact Assessment (HIA). HIS makes it easier for policymakers and caregivers to make the best decisions to offer better health support.
The tool examines the socio-economic and physical issues within the community. The tool also examines the health challenges affecting the targeted population. Systematic Reviews (SR) are formal processes used to identify relevant scientific facts. Such facts increase the level of medical transparency and understandability. Practitioners and nurses use the tool to collect information and make informed healthcare recommendations (Fielding and Briss 973).
The third set of tools includes “participatory researches, analytical and modeling models, and economic evaluations” (Fielding and Briss 976). The authors exclude some important tools such as Community Data Collection and analysis systems. These systems allow practitioners to gather accurate data and make informed healthcare decisions.
Some useful tools also include training and planning programs, health surveillance systems, gray literature, and economic evaluations. These tools can improve the quality of community health. Such tools will support the use of evidence-based information for better nursing practice.
Challenges Related to the Use of Scientific Evidence
According to Fielding and Briss (972), “the use of scientific inquisitions continues to face many impediments.” People in the community resist new information. Most of the studies that show minimal effectiveness are not published (Fielding and Briss 975). This discourages future scientific researches. The government and other healthcare organizations have not supported the use of evidence-based information and ideas.
Policymakers and caregivers do not execute most of the data and information gained from these scientific inquiries. Healthcare centers should redesign the best practices to provide quality health decisions and support. The community lacks better policies and programs to implement these evidence-based findings (Fielding and Briss 976).
The science base is inadequate towards supporting most of the healthcare decisions. The country lacks registries for HIAs to address every healthcare question.
How Public Health has Succeeded/Struggled in Using the Best Available Evidence
The global community has made several strides in an attempt to use the best available information for better healthcare practice. According to Fielding and Briss (973), “the Los Angeles (LA) health department uses HIAs to make accurate decisions about affordable housing and land use.” The U.S. government uses scientific evidence to support the best medical recommendations.
The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force uses SRs to deal with every disease (Fielding and Briss, 975). The Canadian Task Force on the Periodic Health Examination (CTFPHE) relies on these tools to deliver quality services (Fielding and Briss 976). Evidence-based practices have supported the use of disease management programs to reduce the level of re-hospitalization.
However, the unavailability of the best information and data makes it impossible to provide quality support and care to different communities. The developing world has not embraced the use of evidence-based research practices. The authors have only mentioned a few cases about the effectiveness (and ineffectiveness) of these programs.
The National Institute of Health (NIH) and CDC promote the quality of healthcare delivered to many communities (Fielding and Briss 976). More research findings will help policymakers translate findings into appropriate medical actions.
Works Cited
Fielding, Jonathan and Peter Briss. “Promoting Evidence-Based Public Health Policy: Can We Have Better Evidence and More Action?” Health Affairs 25.4 (2006): 969-978. Print.