Discussion: Literature Searches

An important step in the EBP process is reviewing the current body of literature to better understand the subject or topic in which you are interested. By conducting a review of the literature, you are building foundational knowledge about the topic; later, you can use this background to build new insights. Developing a strong grasp of a topic can only be garnered by taking the time to thoroughly search for relevant information and resources.
For this Discussion, you will practice searching the literature to find evidence on a specific topic.
To prepare:

• Choose a simple search term(s) relating to a topic of your PICOT question.
• Review the information on the evidence hierarchy discussed in Chapter 2 of the course text, in the article, “Facilitating Access to Pre-Processed Research Evidence in Public Health,” and in the multimedia presentation “Hierarchy of Evidence Pyramid,” found in this week’s Learning Resources.
• Review the information on the Walden Library’s website, “Levels of evidence.” Take a few minutes to explore the different types of databases available for each level of evidence and focus on the meaning of filtered and non-filtered resources.
• Conduct a literature search in the Walden Library on your selected topic using the databases that you reviewed. Use at least one database for each of the three levels of filtered information and at least one unfiltered database. Record the number of hits that you find at each level of the hierarchy of evidence.
• Select one article from the results at each level of the hierarchy. Compare the articles based on the quality and depth of information. What would be the value of each resource if you were determining an evidence-based practice?

BY DAY 3

Post a summary of your search. Describe what topic you selected, the search term(s) that you used, and the number of results found at each level of the hierarchy. Compare the types of information found in the articles from different levels and the value of the information from each level. Highlight a useful tip that you could share with your colleagues about conducting an effective literature search.
Read a selection of your colleagues’ responses

• Hospitals
• Long-term Care
• Mental and Behavioral Health
• Ambulatory Care
• For-Profit/Public Health Care.

Write a ten to twelve page paper where you address the following:

• Describe of the sector’s historical development and current role in healthcare delivery.
• Explain how the political influence in the U.S. healthcare system impacts how this sector provides healthcare to specific communities.
• Evaluate how quality, safety, and competition within this healthcare sector impact patient care.
• Examine what major challenges exist for this sector for the system over the next decade from healthcare reform and other factors. Discuss a minimum of three challenges and offer your recommendations on how healthcare leaders and administrators can manage them.
• Provide a conclusion summary of your findings and of the project experience.

Your paper should meet the following requirements:

• Be ten to twelve pages in length, not including the cover or reference pages
• Be formatted according to the CSU-Global Guide to Writing and APA Requirements
• Provide support for your statements with in-text citations from a minimum of eight scholarly references – four of these references must be from outside sources and four may be from course readings, lectures, and textbooks. The CSU-Global Library is a good place to find these references.

Utilize the following headings to organize the content in your work.

• Introduction
• Historical Development and Current Role in Healthcare Delivery
• Political Influence
• Quality, Safety, and Competition
• Future Challenges and Issues
• Recommendations
• Conclusion