Measuring the effects of guided clinical reasoning on the Advanced Nursing Process quality, on nurses’ knowledge and attitude: Study protocol

Abstract

Aim: This article is a report of a study protocol designed to examine the effects of guided clinical reasoning on the quality of the Advanced Nursing Process—the evidence-based version of the traditional nursing process. It aims to describe the theoretical framework—Kirkpatrick's evaluation model, the key concepts and the instruments for the planned study. Design: A complex experimental intervention study using data and method triangulation is proposed. Methods: Registered Nurses (N = 92), nursing records (N = 180) and 24 patients will be included. Nurses’ knowledge and attitude will be evaluated by questionnaires/tests, their clinical performance by observations. Patients’ perspective will be addressed by qualitative interviews and patient records by using the instrument Quality of Diagnoses, Interventions and Outcomes revised (Q-DIO R). Discussion: Kirkpatrick's model (including quantitative and qualitative methods) is providing evaluations from different perspectives on the quality of the Advanced Nursing Process and on intervention effects.