Achieving evidence-based nursing practice: impact of the Caledonian Development Model

AIM: To determine the impact of the Caledonian Development Model, designed to promote evidence-based practice.

BACKGROUND: The model features practice-development activities, benchmarking, knowledge pooling and translation through membership of a community of practice and a virtual college.

METHODS: Twenty-four nurses, from 18 practice sites formed three communities of practice, each selecting evidence-based guidance to implement. A modified group supervision framework empowered nurses to champion local implementation. Outcomes were determined at 6 months.

RESULTS: Eighty per cent of the patient-related criteria and 35% of the facilities criteria were achieved. The Revised Nursing Work Index indicated these nurses experienced greater autonomy (P = 0.019) and increased organizational support (P = 0.037). Focus groups revealed a deepening organizational support for the initiative over time, illuminated work-based learning challenges and overall enthusiasm for the approach.

CONCLUSION: Implementation of the model effectively promoted evidence-based practice, most notably at the level of the individual patient.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING MANAGEMENT: Time and budgetary constraints necessitate smart, value for money approaches to developing evidence-based practice and improved care standards. This work demonstrates an effective model that strikes a balance between individual and group learning, virtual and real-time activities, coupled with resource pooling across organizations and sectors.