Upon completion of this course it is expected that students will demonstrate:
1. Knowledge of how outcome research can be used to improve the quality of health care.
2. Knowledge of which outcomes are sensitive to nursing care.
3. An understanding of different approaches to outcomes measurement.
4. An understanding of how to enhance the quality of outcomes measurement.
5. An understanding of the relationship between quality work environments, nurse staffing, and patient outcomes.

For nurses and many other health professionals, objective performance data on past practice behaviours and outcomes are often not readily available. This can lead to the assumption that performance is adequate and there is no need for improvement. It is essential that we link the conduct and focus of outcomes research with opportunities for improvement in care. Feedback about the outcomes or results of care enables healthcare professionals to evaluate their practice and make changes to improve the quality of health care.

In this course students will examine the role of outcomes research for improving the quality of nursing care. They will develop an understanding of how to identify outcomes for nursing, learn about different approaches to measurement, and examine contemporary issues in outcomes assessment.

Elomakkeella https://elomake3.uta.fi/lomakkeet/20900/lomake.html 6.8.2018 mennessä.

GUIDELINES FOR THE SCHOLARLY PAPER ON OUTCOMES RELEVANT FOR EVALUATING NURSING PRACTICE

The scholarly paper should select an outcome for evaluating the effectiveness of your clinical or leadership (or education) practice. Conduct a search of the literature for evidence to support the outcome selected, using the framework suggested by Hermann and Palmer (2002). Discuss the evidence concerning the outcome indicator, succinctly synthesize the evidence, and advance recommendations for measurement. The paper should address the following issues:

Rationale for selecting the outcome for evaluating clinical or leadership practice or learning outcomes of education, with supporting evidence from the literature

Course leader: Professor Tarja Suominen

Teachers: Professor Sean Clarke, RN, PhD
Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Chestnut Hill, Massachusetts, USA

Professor Tarja Suominen, RN, PhD
Faculty of Social Sciences, Health Sciences, Nursing Science, University of Tampere

COURSE OBJECTIVES

Upon completion of this course it is expected that students will demonstrate:

1. Knowledge of how outcome research can be used to improve the quality of health care.

2. Knowledge of which outcomes are sensitive to nursing care.

3. An understanding of different approaches to outcomes measurement.

4. An understanding of how to enhance the quality of outcomes measurement.

5. An understanding of the relationship between quality work environments, nurse staffing, and patient outcomes.

COURSE MATERIAL

A reading list, including journal articles and recommended texts will be provided.

Specific Topics

1. Health outcomes research: Terminology and designs

2. The role of outcomes research in improving the quality of nursing/ health care—evidence-based practice and management.

3. Identifying outcomes sensitive to nursing care and nurse-related factors.

4. State of the science on nursing sensitive outcomes.

5. Patient safety indicators and research

6. What can be learned from administrative databases about the outcomes of health care?

7. Relationship between quality work environments, nurse staffing and patient outcomes.

COURSE REQUIREMENTS

(1) A student seminar: Discuss how outcomes measurement is related to your own doctoral research study or could be.

(2) A student paper, exploring a specific outcome, its applicability to a practice or research issue, and measurement issues. (Could be the same topic as in (1).)