Topic 3 DQ 1
Discuss how evidence-based practice is defined as translational research. Describe the
framework that supports that definition. Identify a population health issue you are
interested in researching and discuss the issue using that framework. As you select an issue,
remember you will be building upon your research in this course for your evidence-based
practice project in the next course. Think about how you can focus your research now to
help you complete your EBP project.
Note: While you will only be proposing a solution and implementation plan in your EBP
project, keep in mind EBP projects lay a foundation for doctoral research, since doctoral
candidates have the opportunity to actually implement their projects. If you are interested
in pursuing doctoral education, it is a good idea to choose an issue you would be interested
in pursuing in greater depth. The research and work you complete on your EBP project
now can be used if you choose to move forward into doctoral education.
In researching information on this discussion question, I came across some contradicting
information, as I also was reading my fellow classmates responses to this question. I found two
articles that meet the minimal 5-year requirement to be considered current. One article states that
evidence-based practice and translation research are not interchangeable (Titler, 2014). It
continues to state that evidenced-based practice is the process of “doing” or application of the
practice in the clinical setting. Whereas translational research is a longer process that come
before the application, meaning the studying of implementation interventions, factors and
variables that can affect the uptake in knowledge and then using it in the practice settings. The
other article also states that translational research provides the data underlying or supporting
evidence-based practice, but they are not the same in general definition (Zoellner, Horn,
Gleason, & Boushey, 2015).
The population health issues that I am interested is slightly complicated yet simple, I chose
spinal health and its affect on patient health issues. I have been interested in the epidemic of
chronic “back pain or neck pain,” since I was a teenager, due to the fact I started seeing a
chiropractor because I have chronic back and neck issues and it has to do with the alignment of
my spinal column, from multiple injuries and poor posture and body mechanics. Spinal stenosis
is a disease process that will occur over time every person to some degree (Mayfield Brain &
Spine, n.d.). However, most that promote their spinal health tend to continue to live active lives