Please assist with providing a thought-provoking response to the following reply. Contributions

are evaluated on presentation of a meaningful ‘informed opinion,’ i.e., synthesis of your

preparation on the topic, interaction with peers and faculty, and ongoing learning. Useful posts

may include and are not limited to: Posting your ‘take’ on the issue, this is informed by your

preparation, not a ‘gut reaction.’ Asking critical thinking questions, offering alternate

interpretations and additional insights, Contributing to the learning of the group.

1. Discuss how the Model can help guide the implementation of your project PICOT. Explain the model.

My PICO question is in psychiatric patients, do telehealth patient visits vs in-person visits improve outcomes within 6 months? In order for my future project to be successful, an equal number of telehealth visits and in-person visits must be developed to generate data for the research. Therefore, a sustainable environment for telehealth visits must be created for my project and evidence-based telehealth must be practiced. The model I will use is The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, also known as Larrabee’s Model (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). There are six areas in this model which include assessing the need for practice change, linking the problem, interventions, and outcomes, evidence synthesizing, designing practice change, implementing, and evaluating practice change, and integrating and maintaining practice change (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2018). This model creates a structure for me to follow to implement my project in a timely manner. Assessing the need for telehealth is essential before implementing the change. The need reflects the clinician’s awareness and desire for conducting telehealth. Next, problems can be identified why in-person visits only can be challenging for some providers and patients. Targeting these problems can help clinicians with resolutions which is creating a safe environment for telehealth service. Evidence should be retrieved from the telehealth visits encountered during the coronavirus of 2019 (COVID-19) to show the effectiveness of this delivery method. In order to explore the real value of telemedicine, a practice change must be designed, implemented, and evaluated.

1. What practice gaps are you seeing or addressing?

Practice gaps can be identified as resistance to change from staff members. Staff members who have difficulty times utilizing computers can be resistant to this practice. Continuous training and resources should be provided to address this practice gap. Lack of knowledge also can be a way that the practice gap is widened. Telehealth benefits, policies, and how they contribute to patient outcomes should be discussed and taught among the staff members. Brown (2019) also suggested creating an evidence-based learning environment utilizing simulation sessions. Simulations can mimic real-world scenarios that clinicians might encounter in order to help clinicians to pinpoint barriers to telehealth.

1. Discuss how the model can sustain your project.

For a project maintains its sustainability, a project must be effective for staff members to implement. Ongoing communication and assessment should be conducted on a regular basis to assess staff members’ perceptions of the change. If the last step of this model creates difficulties, this project will go back to step one and continue to assess the need for a practice change. This model creates a positive cycle that can be utilized in my project to help staff members develop change, implement change, and evaluate change.

References:

Brown, J. E. (2019). Graduate nurses’ perception of the effect of simulation on reducing the theory-practice gap. SAGE Open Nursing, 5, 1-11. https://doi.org/10.1177/2377960819896963

Melnyk, B. M., & Fineout-Overholt, E. (2018). Evidence-based practice in nursing & healthcare: A guide to best practice (4th ed.). Lippincott Williams and Wilkins.

ANSWER

Sustaining Telehealth Implementation: Leveraging the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change

Introduction

Your insightful post highlights the crucial role of a well-structured model in guiding the successful implementation and sustainability of your PICOT project, which aims to evaluate the impact of telehealth versus in-person visits on outcomes for psychiatric patients. By utilizing the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, you have effectively set the stage for a comprehensive approach to address practice gaps, facilitate change, and ensure the long-term success of your project.

Utilizing the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change

The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change, devised by Larrabee, serves as a roadmap for systematic transformation within healthcare settings. Its six interrelated areas provide a comprehensive framework that aligns seamlessly with your telehealth implementation project.

Assessing the Need for Practice Change
This foundational step ensures a clear understanding of the necessity for telehealth adoption. By gauging clinician awareness and desire for telehealth, you initiate your project on a solid footing, ensuring that the change is driven by a genuine need within your healthcare setting.

Linking the Problem, Interventions, and Outcomes
This phase allows you to identify specific challenges associated with in-person visits, thereby establishing a rationale for adopting telehealth. By correlating interventions with expected outcomes, you create a compelling case for the change, helping stakeholders understand its potential benefits.

Evidence Synthesizing
Leveraging the experiences and outcomes from telehealth visits during the COVID-19 pandemic provides a robust evidence base for your project. Demonstrating the effectiveness of telehealth during this period helps validate its potential for improving patient outcomes and informs your practice change design.

Designing, Implementing, and Evaluating Practice Change
With a well-defined need, problem, and evidence, you proceed to design, implement, and evaluate your practice change. By focusing on creating a sustainable environment for telehealth and addressing practice gaps, you bridge the transition from theory to real-world application.

Addressing Practice Gaps

Your consideration of practice gaps is astute and mirrors the proactive nature of evidence-based practice. Resistance to change, especially among staff members less comfortable with technology, is a common challenge. By providing continuous training, resources, and creating an evidence-based learning environment through simulations, you empower staff to embrace telehealth confidently.

Additionally, the knowledge gap is addressed by educating staff on telehealth benefits, policies, and their impact on patient outcomes. This approach equips your team with the necessary understanding to fully embrace the change and contributes to a smoother transition.

Sustaining Your Project

Sustainability lies at the heart of any successful project. The Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change provides a dynamic framework for ongoing assessment and adaptation. By continually communicating with staff, assessing their perceptions, and addressing any difficulties, you create a cycle of improvement that ensures the long-term viability of your telehealth implementation. The flexibility embedded in this model allows you to revisit the initial step if needed, reinforcing the commitment to the practice change and ensuring its sustainability over time.

Conclusion

Your adept utilization of the Model for Evidence-Based Practice Change in the context of your telehealth implementation project exemplifies a systematic and comprehensive approach. By assessing needs, addressing practice gaps, and sustaining change through ongoing evaluation, you have positioned your project for success and enhanced the potential for positive outcomes in the realm of psychiatric patient care. As you navigate the intricacies of telehealth implementation, this model serves as an invaluable guide, propelling your project toward meaningful and enduring impact.