UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA

COLLEGE OF NURSING

COURSE SYLLABUS

SUMMER 2011

COURSE NUMBER NGR 7827

COURSE TITLE Outcomes Research and Evaluation

CREDITS 3

PLACEMENT DNP Program

PREREQUISITES NGR 7871 Nursing Informatics

NGR 6840 Applied Statistical Analysis I

COREQUISITE None

FACULTY Jane Gannon, DNP, CNM

JAX LRC, 3rd Floor

Office: (904) 244-5166

Fax: (904) 244-3246

Office hours: Tuesday 1:00-3:00 PM or by appointment

DEPARTMENT CHAIR M. Josephine Snider, EdD, RN

HPNP 4221

` Office: (352) 273-6359

Office hours: By appointment only

JACKSONVILLE CAMPUS DIRECTOR Andrea Gregg, DSN, RN

Jacksonville

(904)244-5172

Office hours: By appointment only

COURSE DESCRIPTION This course provides knowledge and skills to improve clinical practice based on measurement and evaluation of the end results of particular nursing care practices and interventions. Emphasis is on the scope and focus of current outcomes research and evaluation projects in health care with regard to applicability to nursing systems. Evidence based decision making is highlighted. Focus is on the significance of outcomes for individuals and aggregates as well as implications for improving nursing systems.

COURSE OBJECTIVES Upon completion of this course, the student will be able to:

1.  Evaluate selected outcomes research and evaluation projects as a foundation for policy development and clinical practice guidelines.

2.  Evaluate the criteria for accepting evidence of best practice in health care.

COURSE OBJECTIVES (continued):

3.  Evaluate traditional and emerging approaches for measuring outcomes and using outcomes evidence to make clinical decisions and set policy.

4.  Construct a research utilization proposal to measure the outcomes of a selected nursing practice or intervention including need, significance, cost-benefits, risks and scientific soundness, and individual preferences.

COURSE SCHEDULE

Section Day Time Room

8015 Web-based

ATTENDANCE

No on-campus activities or synchronous classes are required for this course. However, opportunities for synchronous meetings with the instructor via Eluminate or classmates is available. Students are expected to participate in the activities and discussions as listed in the course syllabus and on the course web-site. Timeframes for the posting and receiving of materials are listed in the course materials on the course web-site.

ACCOMMODATIONS DUE TO DISABILITY

Each semester, students are responsible for requesting a memorandum from the Disability Resource Center to notify faculty of their requested individual accommodations. This should be done at the start of the semester.

STUDENT HANDBOOK

Students are to refer to the College of Nursing Student Handbook for information about College of Nursing policies, honor code, and professional behavior

Topical Outline

  1. Process of evaluation research
  2. Conceptual models
  3. The process of synthesizing clinical evidence for use in health care decision making
  4. Expected outcomes of evaluation research
  5. Optimizing confidence in available health outcomes information
  6. Best efficacy evidence verses average effectiveness evidence
  7. Data management
  8. Sources of outcome data
  9. Measurement of nursing and health outcomes
  10. Value-added outcomes
  11. Role of individual preferences related to symptom control, effect on health, convenient therapy, side-effect characteristics, and long-term outcomes
  12. Traditional and emerging approaches for measuring outcomes.

TEACHING METHODS

Online lectures and/or videos, web-based modules, presentations, discussion

LEARNING ACTIVITIES

Online discussion and critique, individual papers

EVALUATION

Discussion board assignments (2) 20%

Written assignments (4) 60%

CITI/IRB human subject training 10%

Peer critiques 10%

Total 100%

GRADING SCALE/QUALITY POINTS

A 95-100 (4.0) C 74-79* (2.0)

A- 93-94 (3.67) C- 72-73 (1.67)

B+ 91- 92 (3.33) D+ 70-71 (1.33)

B 84-90 (3.0) D 64-69 (1.0)

B- 82-83 (2.67) D- 62-63 (0.67)

C+ 80-81 (2.33) E 61 or below (0.0)

* 74 is the minimal passing grade

REQUIRED TEXTS

Kleinpell, R. (2009). Outcome assessment for advanced practice nursing: Second edition. New

York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

Kane, R. (2011). Conducting health outcomes research. New York, NY: Jones & Bartlett Learning , Inc. LLC.

APA (2009). Publication manual of the American Psychological Association ( 6th ed.).

Washington, DC: Author

RECOMMENDED TEXT

Waltz, C., Strickland, O. & Lenz, E. (2010). Measurement in nursing and health research. New York, NY: Springer Publishing Company.

WEEKLY CLASS SCHEDULE

DATE / TOPIC/EVALUATION / ASSIGNMENTS/READINGS
Week 1
May 9-15 / Course Overview
Differentiating types of research:
·  The evaluation research process / 1.  Introductions
2.  Required Readings (see website)
3.  Group discussion board assignment
a.  Which readings describe Clinical Research and which describe Outcomes Research?
b.  What’s the difference? Is there a difference?
c.  Compare and contrast outcomes research with quality assurance and quality improvement
See Discussion Board Grading Rubric on website as well as Group to which you are assigned
DUE 5/15 8:00 PM
Week 2
May 16-22 / Assessing the evidence:
·  Meta-analysis methods
·  Evaluation models
·  Effectiveness evidence vs average effectiveness / Individual online assignment:
1.  Required readings (see website)
2.  See math assignment posted on website.
DUE 5/22 at 8:00 pm.
Weeks 34
May 23-June 5 / Using data to develop a problem statement and rationale
·  Epidemiological evidence of the problem and its impact
o National
o Community
o Local
§  Hospital
§  Practice / Individual written assignment: 3 page limit
1.  Page 1: Provide an introduction and then summarize the clinical problem that you intend for your project interest/focus.
2.  Page 2: Identify data sources* (local, hospital, community, national) that can be used to justify the extent of the problem (NOT what should be done about it). Search those sources to gather evidence that this problem exists and is impacting the health of your particular patient aggregate. Include cost data.
3.  Page 3: Search the literature to report on the consequences of the clinical problem.
DUE 6/5 at 8:00 PM
DATE / TOPIC/EVALUATION / ASSIGNMENTS/READINGS
Week 5
June 6-12 / The IRB process / Individual assignment
1.  Visit http://www.citiprogram.org/ and complete the learning module (turn in certificate). When you first register on the site, select the University of Florida as your institution.
2.  Download IRB application forms from the IRB (01-04) from which you will be seeking approval and work with your project chair to begin completion of these forms
IRB Certificate DUE 6/12 8:00 PM
Weeks 6 & 8
June 13-July 3
(Week 7: Spring Break June 20-24) / Identify a solution to the problem
§  Literature synthesis
§  Stakeholder roles / Individual Assignment: This is a continuation of the 3 page paper submitted week 2.
1.  Literature search for evidence based solutions to the problem. Select the most sound (ie evidence based) solution. Then select at least 8 articles that are focused on that one solution and create a matrix.
2.  Synthesize the evidence of that solution, describing its strengths and weaknesses in a brief report that is added to the first written assignment. This assignment will start with page 4. Limit the synthesis to 3-4 pages. Use APA. Include a title page and reference list. Include the matrix in an appendix. See required items for the matrix and the report on the course website.
DUE 7/3 5:00 PM
Weeks 10 &11
July 5-17 / Outcome measurement and data management plan:
§  Outcome measurement frameworks
§  Traditional vs emerging outcomes
§  Patient oriented outcome features
§  Reliability and validity
§  Data source/ analysis / Individual Assignment: This is a continuation of the paper submitted week 6
Assigned readings
1.  Assume the evidence based solution you identified will be implemented in a practice setting as a focus of your project.
2.  Select an outcome measurement framework and design
3.  Develop an outcome measurement and data management plan (see website for content/criteria).
DUE 7/17 8:00 PM
Week 12
July 18-24 / Project evaluation strategies
·  Outcome evaluation plan / Assigned readings
Individual assignment
1.  Develop an evaluation plan for your project. Identify at least 3 outcome domains and 2 outcome indicators per domains. Add this as the final component to your paper.
2.  Post your entire paper to the discussion board for the final group discussion board assignment
DUE 7/24 08:00 PM
Week 13
July 25-July 31 / Peer evaluation / Group Assignment
In groups of 5-6, students will critique each other’s final report. See the rubric posted on the course website with criteria to aid the critiques. Now is the time to get critical feedback prior to writing and submitting your proposals.

Approved: Academic Affairs Committee: 02/05; 03/05; 05/07

Reviewed: Leadership: 06/07

Approved: Faculty: 03/05; 06/07

Approved: UF Curriculum: 02/06