In nursing, the inquiry is clinical. Nurses must think about symptoms the patient is presenting, standard protocol and outcomes. Case studies are a fun way to present inquiry. For example, a 35-year-old female with two children and no diagnosed conditions experiences pain in the left hip joint. Family history includes hip dysplasia, osteoarthritis and osteoporosis. Nurses must consider possible diagnosis, interventions and results.
Evidence-based practice includes a critical analysis of existing research. In health care, research is primarily in the form of clinical trials. A fun way to introduce research review is studying cases that are of interest. For example, if a male nurse's daughter has a herniated belly button, he should examine clinical trials in treating herniated belly buttons. He should analyze the validity of the study and the reliability of the results.
The application process includes applying results that are determined valid and reliable to the situation. Nurses must ask themselves about accuracy, affordability and availability in regards to the patient. Role-play is a fun way to introduce the application process. Assign "pretend" patients with a diagnosis, family situation and extenuating circumstances; the nurse must then apply evidence-based results to the individual's needs.
Nurses must evaluate the treatment while considering efficacy, prognosis and quality of life. This process involves examining long-term patient outcomes. Introduce nurses to actual patients who have had procedures and are willing to detail their personal experiences. This is the best learning opportunity that can prove to be enjoyable while discussing real-life cases with actual people instead of reading about them in a book or journal article.