Engaging Remote Providers in Evidence-Based Practice Using a Social Learning Platform

Background Evidence-based practice (EBP) is central to providing excellent patient care, but many advanced practice providers (APPs) lack the knowledge and support to continue EBP after graduation. Time and geographical constraints limit access to regional provider meetings and peer-to-peer collaboration. Providers working in remote clinics lack, resources, mentorship and organizational supports necessary for research translation. Methods To improve EBP with APPs in remote urgent care (UC) sites, this DNP project implemented a social learning platform (SLP) to allow urgent care providers virtual space to share, discuss, and evaluate healthcare research application for use in practice. Using the Knowledge to Action Framework (Graham and Tetroe, 2013) a quasi-experimental study was designed. IRB waiver was obtained from both academic and clinical sites. Intervention A pre-intervention survey distributed to 30 urgent care (UC) Advanced Practice Provider (APP) participants inquired about current EBP access, use, discussion and engagement. A social learning platform (SLP) was developed using SharePoint and access was granted to all UC APPs. A post-intervention survey administered one month later explored perceived changes in EBP access, use, discussion and engagement with SLP availability. SLP site hits were tracked. Paired t-tests of pre and post surveys were analyzed, and grouping of qualitative themes was synthesized. Results A pre-survey (51% response rate) provided valuable baseline data regarding provider perceptions. All respondents agreed or strongly agreed to using EBP materials to guide clinical decisions. A post-survey (23% response rate) was collected two weeks post launch and an unpaired t-test revealed no-significant changes post intervention. Despite these findings, providers estimated a 15% increase in use of EBP after the site launch. Site hits totaled over 200 in first two weeks available. Conclusion Social learning platforms could meet remote providers' needs for communication and collaboration. This SLP became a central communication hub, document repository and a virtual journal club allowing asynchronous literature review and an EBP discussion forum. Increasing EBP discussion is expected to translate into better patient outcomes. Tailoring SLPs for use in other clinical settings would provide a novel approach to bridging the evidence-to-practice gap.