Nurses workshop in India, March 2016

P.D. HINDUJA COLLEGE OF NURSING 

Evidence Based Practice: A Groundwork for Research

Skill Sharing Workshop

In collaboration with Global Research Nurses Network 

14^th March, 2016

Hotel Tunga International, Andheri

Report on Workshop Proceedings

Background:

Evidence based practice has been gaining momentum in nursing as a part of a continuous quality enhancement process, Hinduja college of nursing consistently strives to incorporate evidence based practices into its   functioning & to create a scientific temper among nurses. The workshop was organized by P.D. Hinduja College of Nursing in collaboration with The Global Health Network and the Global Research Nurses, Oxford University.

Theme:

Evidence Based Practice: A Groundwork for Research, Skill Sharing Workshop

Organizing Committee:

This research skill sharing workshop was conducted in the city of Mumbai for nurses across the state of Maharashtra. One hundred and two nurses from the clinical, administrative and education sections from 15 hospitals and 7 colleges participated in it. The primary objective of this workshop was to create a culture of research in nursing.

The topics for deliberations were classified under three plenary sessions:

I: Laying the Foundation of Research in Nursing

II: Digging Deeper

III: Translational Research

The day began with a warm-up yoga session by yoga instructor and retired nurse educator, Mrs. Seema Sane. Through the session the delegates learnt the basic yogasanas like pranayama to revive and rejuvenate themselves in short span of time. The session charged and prepared everyone for day long intense learning.

The official inauguration of the workshop was then conducted. Prof. Dr. Jaya Kuruvilla, Principal, P D Hinduja College of Nursing, Ms. Cordelia Leisegang, representative of The Global Health Network, Mr. Joby George, representative of Global Research Nurses Network, Prof. Wilma Valsalan, Vice Principal, P D Hinduja College of Nursing and Prof. Shubhangi Pangam, joint secretary of the workshop lit the lamp and inaugurated the session.

In the welcome session, Prof. Dr. Jaya Kuruvilla delivered Keynote Address on 'Creating a Culture for Research in Clinical Nursing'. She introduced the term 'research culture' to the group, explained its characteristics, shed light on the reasons why research is lacking in clinical nursing. She aslo spoke about various barriers in translating evidence into practice and how we can facilitate evidence based practice and incorporate it into regular practice.

Ms. Cordelia Leisegang then introduced The Global Health Network to the group as an online science park that started in 2011 to pool the resources of health care researches with an aim to accelerate and streamline research. The network facilitates collaboration and resouce sharing in global health. She also enlightened the delegates about their activities and the benefits of being a part of them.

Mr. Joby George then spoke to the group about the Global Research Nurses. He emphasised on importance of networking among nurses. The Global Research Nurses with a membership of over 1200 nurses across the globe, promotes updating of knowldege and skills and encourages development of awareness and implementation of research findings. He also shed light on the challenges faced and the possible alternative solutions for the same.

Plenary session I: Laying the foundation of Research in Nursing

In this session the speakers focused on and clarified basic concepts in research.

Dr. Rani Shetty from LT College of Nursing spoke on problem identification. The research process in qualitative, quantitative and mixed method research was explained by Dr. T. Sivabalan, Vice Principal, Pravara Institute of Medical Science. This was then followed by session by Prof. Wilma Valsalan wherein she outlined sampling technique and research setting. Clarification of every concept with suitable & simple examples were the highlights of all these three sessions. The end of plenary session I was marked with group activity facilitated by Prof. Wilma Valsalan. All the groups were given a common clinical problem of sleep deprivation among patients in a hospital. The groups were encouraged to identify related researchable questions and to come up with a  problem statement, describe the most suitable research design & approach and to frame the inclusion and exclusion criteria for sample selection. Some of the group works were then discussed and Dr. T. Sivabalan and Prof. Dr. Jaya Kuruvilla gave their expert opinion for further refining of the work. The group involvement and interaction during the activity was commendable. 

Plenary Session II : Digging Deeper into Research

The sessions herein was focused on elaborating on how to perform a literature search. Session by Dr. Vasumathi Sriganesh highlighted the tips and tricks of where to look for different kinds of data, how to find evidence, manage search results, and to cite and reference correctly. Demonstration with online examples brought in lot of clarity of the technique. This was followed by a session by Asso. Prof. Siman Xavier who presented  the various data gathering techniques that are present and on how to choose the most appropriate technique, considering the advantages and disadvantages of each type.

The post- lunch session began with keynote address on another important topic, i.e. Strengthening Scientific Evidence. Mr. Bijoy K Thomas, Assistant Professor at St. Xavier's Institute of Education emphasized the power of descriptive statistics and the power of normal distribution while also talking about the application of statistics in research in brief. Dr. Pankaj Sarkate from Seth GS Medical College, KEM Hospital, then outlined the various statistical techniques available and elaborated on how to decide on the appropriate test to be used. His session was followed by an activity wherein the dependent and independent variables were given to the delegates and they were asked to identify the most appropriate statistical technique that can be applied. Members of all groups actively participated in the task.                

Plenary session III: Translational Research

Dr. BK Nayak, Consultant Ophthalmologist, P.D. Hinduja Hospital and editor of a journal discussed with the delegates how to write a research report. He shed light on what the editors look for in a research article and what the readers look for. He also brought to light the common errors and omissions that are to be avoided. He also sensitized the group to the need to write and publish. He then went on to explain the process of critiquing a research article. He outlined the responsibilities of the author, reviewer and the editorial board of a journal with regard to critiquing. Handout of an article published in a journal was made available to the delegates to read and critique. The delegates were given time to read through the content. The session ended with a common discussion. All the groups took active participation in an effort to critique the given article. This discussion was facilitated by Dr. B K Nayak.

The final official session and the highlight of the day was a Panel Discussion on the topic: Overcoming Clinical Research Inertia. The panel was chaired by Prof. Shubhangi Pangam. The panel comprised of eminent nurse leaders from the education and service sector:

Dr. T. Sivabalan, Vice Principal, Pravara Institute of Medical Sciences

Ms. Madhura Mule, Deputy Chief of Nursing, Lilavati Hospital

Ms. Minimole Varghese, Chief of Nursing, Fortis Hospital, Mulund

Ms. Cordelia Leisegang, The Global Health Network.

Mr. Joby George, Global Research Nurses

The issues that were discussed were:

• Why researches of post graduate students don't get translated to bedside
• Why the otherwise multitasker nurses are unable to make time for research
• Is the situation pan-India the same when it comes to nursing research
• Why is now the best time for nurses to involve in clinical research
• Suggestions/ Cues for handshake between nurse administrators and educators
• Picture of clinical nurse research in South Africa
• How does an organization propagate culture of clinical research in nursing
• Any example of clinical research having changed the nursing practices in South Africa 

All of the above questions were addressed in a noteworthy manner by the respective panelists. The interesting questions and even more interesting answers kept the delegates engrossed in the discussion. The chairperson then summarized the session by laying down the SWOT analysis of the situation. One of the major strengths identified was over 5000 post graduate students with adequate qualification passing out every year. Thus every year there is an increased force of personnel with research orientation. The weakness identified includes: post graduate researches are dissertation oriented, conducted with the intent of fulfilling the requirement. Also, research is not specified in the job description of nurses of any cadre. Opportunities for conducting research and disseminating information was noted. The major threat that we face is that with lack of research, gradually nursing can be overtaken by other disciplines.

At the end of all the official sessions, the Valedictory Session was conducted. The dignitaries seated on the dais were Mrs. Usha Raheja, Managing Trustee, Hinduja Hospital; Mr. Gautam Khanna, CEO, Hinduja Hospital; Prof. Dr. Jaya Kuruvilla, Principal, Hinduja College of Nursing; Ms. Cordelia Leisegang, The Global Health Network; Mr. Joby George, Global Research Nurses. Prof. Wilma Valsalan , Vice Principal, Hinduja College of Nursing.

Asso. Prof. Siman Xavier presented the report of the workshop. Ms. Cordelia Leisegang and Mr. Joby George addressed the gathering and thanked the Hinduja College of Nursing for the collaboration. They also expressed contentment about the workshop having been an effective one. Mr. Gautam Khanna in his address to the gathering suggested to the delegates to conduct at least a small scale project before the learning of the day is forgotten. Mrs. Usha Raheja in her gentle address again emphasized the importance of research and motivated the delegates to conduct studies, such that research becomes a part of one's character. The wrapping up of a day long deliberations was done by Prof. Dr. Jaya Kuruvilla. She expressed a sense of content and extended wishes of gratitude to the Global Health Network for choosing Hinduja Nursing College for conducting the workshop and mentioned that the collaboration with the global research nurses would continue. She also thanked the organizing committee that functioned under leadership of Asso. Prof. Siman Xavier for the success of the workshop. A special mention was made of the editorial board that came up with a textbook 'Research Simplified', within a short span of time. Dr. Kuruvilla also motivated all the delegates to undertake and complete research projects within a period of 3 months to one year from this date. She also mentioned the setting up of regional research unit in the state of Maharashtra shall be undertaken by the Hinduja College of Nursing. She concluded by stating that this workshop has been successful in creating a scientific tempo and research culture among the delegates.

Finally, Ms. Pooja Nair, proposed the Vote of Thanks to all who were instrumental in the success of the workshop. The activities of the day culminated with the singing of the National Anthem. Certificate of participation was awarded to all the delegates. Delegates were requested to provide feedback regarding the programme. Also a copy of the book 'Research Simplified' was distributed among the participants.

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