Discuss the interrelationship among theory, practice, and research.
Interrelationship among Theory, Practice and Research
Introduction
Practice, research, and theory are core elements of the nursing profession. The relationship between these elements is cyclical and reciprocal (Saleh, 2018). The clinical practices produce research questions and knowledge for theory. Research guides practice and generates knowledge through theory development. Effective nursing practice requires the application of skills, knowledge, and art to provide effective and efficient care to patients in a considerate manner (Saleh, 2018). The purpose of this study is to discuss the relationship between theory, practice, and research.
The relationship between theory, research, and practice is a bit complex and rewired a deeper understanding. According to Jain (2021), research guides practice and generates knowledge through theory development. Theory guides research and improves practice. Furthermore, theory is based on science and science is the result of the relationship between the process of research and (inquiry) and theory (the product of knowledge). According to Saleh (2018), the effective nursing practice involves the application of skills, caring, knowledge, and art. The most important part thing to remember is that knowledge used to make nursing clinical decisions is generated by research findings. All care decisions meant to improve patient health should be based on research evidence (Saleh, 2018). Research findings are essential in developing protocols or guidelines to be followed in daily nursing practice.
Theory and practice have a reciprocal relationship. Practice is the basis for developing nursing theory and nursing theory is often validated in practice. Furthermore, a theory is refined by research deeply rooted in practice and applied in practice (Jain, 2021). Theory influences practice by organizing nursing care, setting standards, describing the setting in which practice happens, designing systems of care delivery, as well as identifying the recipients of nursing care. The application of nursing theory into practice requires the providers to understand the concepts associated with patients’ needs (Jain, 2021). They also need to recognize how and when to apply the concepts at every stage (planning and implementation).
Theory and research are correlated in several ways, for instance, theory defines what people look at, and how they think and look at it. The theory provides basic concepts and directs researchers to the important questions (Jain, 2021). Furthermore, theory helps researchers by suggesting how to make sense of research data. The theory allows researchers to make links between concrete and abstract, theoretical and empirical, observational statements and through a statement, and others. There is also how research is related to practice. According to Jain (2021), evidence-based practice (EBP) is a problem-solving approach to providing effective healthcare that incorporates the best evidence from studies, clinical expertise, and patient values and preferences. Evidence-based practice can be a product of research studies, hence, the relationship between research and practice.
Conclusion
Practice, research, and theory are the cornerstone of the nursing profession. They are interrelated cyclically and reciprocally. Research guides practice and generated knowledge through theory development. Theory provides basic concepts and direct research. On the other hand, research findings inform evidence-based practice meant to improve patient care. Therefore, the three concepts are related in one way or the other.
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