Evidence synthesis is the evaluation or analysis of research evidence and opinion on a specific topic to aid in decision-making in health care. Although the science of evidence synthesis has developed most rapidly in relation to the meta-analysis of numerical data linked to theories of cause and effect, the further development of theoretical understandings and propositions of the nature of evidence, its role in health care delivery, and the facilitation of improved global health have increased rapidly since 2000. The articles appearing in this issue examine the role of evidence synthesis in nursing and health care and are written by expert translational scientists from across the world. Three introductory articles overview evidence synthesis and its role in evidence-based health care; methods, issues, and trends in the systematic review of health care evidence; and the development of a robust evidence base for nursing. Subsequent articles explore the impact of systematic reviews on policy and practice in a variety of settings, including perioperative care, pediatrics, rehabilitation and long-term/continuing care, mental health, and public health. The final articles discuss the impact of evidence on health policy and practice and the complexities of translating evidence into policy and practice. These articles show the importance of synthesizing evidence and translating policy and practice into action in our quest to improve health care and health outcomes.

Evidence synthesis is the evaluation or analysis of research evidence and opinion on a specific topic to aid in decision-making in health care. Although the science of evidence synthesis has developed most rapidly in relation to the meta-analysis of numerical data linked to theories of cause and effect, the further development of theoretical understandings and propositions of the nature of evidence, its role in health care delivery, and the facilitation of improved global health have increased rapidly since 2000. The articles appearing in this issue examine the role of evidence synthesis in nursing and health care and are written by expert translational scientists from across the world. Three introductory articles overview evidence synthesis and its role in evidence-based health care; methods, issues, and trends in the systematic review of health care evidence; and the development of a robust evidence base for nursing. Subsequent articles explore the impact of systematic reviews on policy and practice in a variety of settings, including perioperative care, pediatrics, rehabilitation and long-term/continuing care, mental health, and public health. The final articles discuss the impact of evidence on health policy and practice and the complexities of translating evidence into policy and practice. These articles show the importance of synthesizing evidence and translating policy and practice into action in our quest to improve health care and health outcomes.

"Cover" -- "Praise" -- "Title Page" -- "Copyright Page" -- "Acknowledgments" -- "About the Authors" -- "Table of Contents" -- "Foreword" -- "The Iowa Model Revised" -- "Overview" -- "Chapter 1_Identifying Triggering Issues/Opportunities" -- "Chapter 2_State the Question or Purpose" -- "Chapter 3_Is This Topic a Priority?" -- "Chapter 4_Form a Team" -- "Chapter 5_Assemble, Appraise, and Synthesize Body of Evidence" -- "Chapter 6_Is There Sufficient Evidence?" -- "Chapter 7_Design and Pilot the Practice Change" -- "Chapter 8_Implementation" -- "Chapter 9_Evaluation" -- "Chapter 10_Is Change Appropriate for Adoption in Practice?" -- "Chapter 11_Integrate and Sustain the Practice Change" -- "Chapter 12_Disseminate Results" -- "References" -- "Appendix A_The Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care" -- "Appendix B_Implementation Strategies for Evidence-Based Practice" -- "Appendix C_UI Hospitals and Clinics Evidence-Based Practice Publications Reporting Use of the Iowa Model" -- "Appendix D_Select Evidence-Based Practice Process Models" -- "Appendix E_Glossary" -- "Index

The Evidence-Based Nursing Series is co-published with SigmaTheta Tau International (STTI). The series focuses on implementingevidence-based practice in nursing and midwifery and mirrors theremit of Worldviews on Evidence-Based Nursing, encompassingclinical practice, administration, research and publicpolicy. Evaluating the Impact of Implementing Evidence-BasedPractice considers the importance of approaches to evaluate theimplementation of evidence-based practice. Outcomes of evidence-based practice can be wide ranging andsometimes unexpected. It is therefore important to evaluatethe success of any implementation in terms of clinical outcomes,influence on health status, service users and health policy andlong-term sustainability, as well as economic impacts. This, the third and final book in the series, looks at how best toidentify, evaluate and assess the outcomes of implementation ,reflecting a wide range of issues to consider and addresswhen planning and measuring outcomes. An informative, practical resource for an internationalreadership Providing critical evaluation of models and approaches tomeasuring outcomes Explores the importance of measuring successfulimplementation Examines outcomes in terms of long-term sustainability Addresses economic impacts and influence on healthpolicy Provides practice-based examples Written by a team of internationally respected authors

The Second Edition of this best-selling text has been completely revised and updated with new insights, evidence, and references throughout every chapter. There are two new chapters -- Evidence-Based Regulation and Evidence-Based Leadership -- that expand on concepts and examine the framework of evidence-based management.

Health care systems worldwide are faced with the challenge of improving the quality of care. Providing evidence from health research is necessary but not sufficient for the provision of optimal care and so knowledge translation (KT), the scientific study of methods for closing the knowledge-to-action gap and of the barriers and facilitators inherent in the process, is gaining significance. Knowledge Translation in Health Care explains how to use research findings to improve health care in real life, everyday situations. The authors define and describe knowledge translation, and outline strategies for successful knowledge translation in practice and policy making. The book is full of examples of how knowledge translation models work in closing the gap between evidence and action. Written by a team of authors closely involved in the development of knowledge translation this unique book aims to extend understanding and implementation worldwide. It is an introductory guide to an emerging hot topic in evidence-based care and essential for health policy makers, researchers, managers, clinicians and trainees.