NURS-FPX 9100: Defining the Nursing Doctoral Project ​​​​​​​Virtual Check-in 1

Developing the topic was an excellent opportunity to understand the steps for developing a working project title and describing relevance in clinical practice. The process provided insights into the evidence-based framework for addressing a gap, synthesizing credible and reliable sources to support proposed intervention, and developing a comprehensive PICOT question. In the end, I managed to capture the aim of the project and the need to address the relevance of evidence-based palliative focused CHF protocol for advanced practice.

Challenges experienced obtaining Topic Approval

Developing the topic approval provided opportunities to understand the systematic and comprehensive approaches for developing a clear title. While it was easier for me to develop a topic on the need for CHF protocol in long-term care, challenges emerged in several areas. Firstly, I experienced challenges developing the PICOT question, specifically narrowing it to determining compliance with CHF palliative care protocol. Secondly, while I managed to describe the gap in clinical practice, the gap analysis was inadequate to ascertain the relevance of the topic. Outlining existing guidelines and compliance within the palliative care setting helps highlight clinical gaps and the need for the recommended evidence-based CHF protocols to improve care outcomes (Ryann et al., 2021). Another challenge was in clarifying the measures for data analysis. The instructor pointed out the need to outline the purpose of compliance. The absence of a separate compliance outcome for each different step of the intervention to ascertain the relevance of the topic in addressing a gap in the health care system.

Progress on Part I of the Project Charter

I thank my instructor for the guidance in developing part 1 of the project charter. From the evaluation, there were no overall comments about the first attempt submitted. However, suggestions, questions, and comments from the instructor guided me to complete part 1 of the charter. Focusing on compliance with CHF palliative care protocol made it easier to complete the first part. Notably, non-compliance is among the issues that limit healthcare providers from delivering quality and safe patient care (Riahi & Khajehei, 2019). Similarly, maximizing patient satisfaction is a priority that requires resilience in developing evidence-based solutions. Thus, the comments provided before approval of the topic enabled me to highlight the relevance of the intervention in streamlining palliative care. Focusing on senior community settings also reveal the urgency of the intervention in enabling the facility to improve quality and safety of services and reduce costs associated with non-compliance.

As I look forward to the project charter for part II, I aim to adhere to the guidelines provided by the instructor to minimize the number of revisions. The goal is to ensure that I complete the work within the scheduled time. A question about my work focused on the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Notably, I chose to include physician assistants while excluding physicians and registered nurses from the process. Is there a likelihood of making inadequate conclusions due to the decision to exclude parties that have frontline roles and may have knowledge and experiences of the clinical environment? I look forward to an exciting experience as I make efforts to complete the second part of the project charter.

General Discussions about the Project and Progress

The project is an opportunity for Optum to make significant progress in improving quality and safety of patient care. I hope to produce comprehensive insights into the need for increased compliance with the intervention across the care continuum. The project is an opportunity for me to make meaningful progress from a professional perspective. Notably, successful completion of the charter will reinforce fulfilment of responsibility to enabling my employer optimize care outcomes in complex clinical scenarios.

References

Riahi, S., & Khajehei, M. (2019). Palliative care: A systematic review of evidence-based interventions. Critical Care Nursing Quarterly, 42(3), 315-328. https://www.researchgate.net/publication/333375860_Palliative_Care_A_Systematic_Review_of_Evidence-Based_Interventions

Ryann, E., David, M., Sally, H., Nealon, M., Melissa, A., Jennifer, L., & Mark, M. (2021). Evidence-based practice and patient-centered care: Doing both well. Health Care Management Review, 46(3), 174-184. https://journals.lww.com/hcmrjournal/Fulltext/2021/07000/Evid