A Randomized Controlled Trial, Essay Example

As an obstetrical nurse, it is important for me to distinguish components of translation science. Overall, it is evident that the nursing field has evolved in the 10 years that I have been a part of it. This is primarily due to the rapidly involving basic science findings that have been released during this time period, which is in part possible due to advanced technology. The advent of the internet has allowed scientists to collaborate more effectively, sharing ideas almost as soon as peer-reviewed journal articles are published. This information exchange is particularly important for nurses because the data reported in these articles are frequently used to guide practice. Being aware of new applications of existing techniques and medicines is beneficial because it allows for a more thorough understanding of the scientific background that could be applied to patient care.

In particular, it is important for obstetrical nurses to follow the clinical trials that are currently refining practice in our field. For example, analyses of the Women’s Health Initiative studies are constantly reviewed to determine the large scale implications of breast cancer risk. Some of these studies have revealed that a portion of women have an enhanced risk of developing breast cancer during pregnancy (Neuhouser et al., 2015). Other studies have been conducted to determine the most effective and safe methods for terminating pregnancies when necessary (Al & Yapca, 2015). Therefore, it is evident that it is important for practicing nurses to be aware of the translational value of basic science in addition to ongoing translational studies. It is important for all medical professionals to incorporate scientific evidence into their practice to ensure they are able to support the quality of patient care.

References

Al RA, Yapca OE. (2015). Vaginal Misoprostol Compared With Buccal Misoprostol for Termination of Second-Trimester Pregnancy: A Randomized Controlled Trial. Obstet Gynecol. Retrieved from http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26181087

Neuhouser ML, Aragaki AK, Prentice RL, Manson JE, Chlebowski R, Carty CL, Ochs-Balcom HM, Thomson CA, Caan BJ, Tinker LF, Urrutia RP, Knudtson J, Anderson GL. (2015).         Overweight, Obesity, and Postmenopausal Invasive Breast Cancer Risk: A Secondary Analysis of the Women’s Health Initiative Randomized Clinical Trials. JAMA Oncol., doi: 10.1001/jamaoncol.2015.1546.