Introduction to Nursing Research & Evidence-Based Practice
Introduction to Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice
The National Institute for Nursing Research (NINR) often identifies priority research areas in healthcare. Each research lens provides a framework/perspective for examining different health challenges. Currently, the five research lenses in order of priority are health disparities, social determinants of health, population and community health, prevention and health promotion, and systems and models of care (NINR, n.d.). This discussion identifies one of the research lenses from the National Institute for Nursing Research that interests me the most, explores the list of priorities, provides a rationale, including what I would change, and how the initiative can be translated into evidence-based practice in my work environment.
The research lens that interests me the most is population and community health. The lens addresses the critical challenges that shape health within and across populations and communities. Schneider et al. (2022) note that population health entails the health and well-being of groups of individuals with shared characteristics and the distribution of outcomes within and across groups. Community health refers to the health and well-being of individuals connected by place. The research developed using the population and community health lens focuses on interventions aimed at improving health, distribution of health, and risk and protective factors shaping populations and communities (NINR, n.d.).
I agree with the priority of research lenses as it is written. The population and community health research lens is the third in priority. I believe the prioritization is appropriate, since it reflects the changing landscape of healthcare delivery from episodic care to preventive long-term health promotion. A study by Khatri et al. (2024) emphasizes the role of population and community interventions in improving the health and outcomes of individuals in these communities and populations. Additionally, since factors that influence health, such as income, housing, education, and access to nutritious food, are often similar for individuals in a particular population, this similarity contributes to similar outcomes in chronic illnesses such as diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease. Moreover, the population and community health research lens is essential to advancing health equity, prevention and long-term wellness through population-level and community-driven interventions.
While the population and community health research lens is comprehensive, I would add technology integration and interprofessional collaboration to strengthen the research focus. According to Mohanty et al. (2021), technology advancement, including the use of digital health tools such as telemedicine, has gained traction in improving population and community health, especially in helping reach underserved populations and rural communities. Therefore, including digital health innovations under this lens would help advance and modernize research in the area. In addition, community health outcomes are more successfully achieved when different professionals collaborate effectively. Thus, formalizing interprofessional collaboration within this lens is essential.
Population and community health initiatives can be translated to evidence-based practice in my work environment through engagement in population-level preventive care initiatives and integrating community health workers into care teams. Care settings can engage actively in population-level initiatives, leading to better health outcomes and reduced healthcare costs. In addition, I would advocate for training and hiring community health workers in my setting, who can act as liaisons between patients and the care team, especially for patients with complex socioeconomic needs.
The NINR’s population and community health research lens is a well-justified priority that recognizes the broader context in which health is created and maintained. It focuses on upstream factors, such as social determinants, community engagement, and systemic inequities, for populations and communities, aligning with the nurse’s role as both caregiver and advocate. In a primary care environment, this research lens can be operationalized through active engagement in population-level evidence-based interventions, and community outreach through community health workers’ integration in the care teams.
References
Khatri, R. B., Endalamaw, A., Erku, D., Wolka, E., Nigatu, F., Zewdie, A., & Assefa, Y. (2024). Enablers and barriers of community health programs for improved equity and universal coverage of primary health care services: A scoping review. BMC Primary Care, 25(1), 385. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12875-024-02629-5
Mohanty, N., Salgado, C., Rapoport, A., Sarma Baxi, R., Panzer, J., & Simon, J. (2021). The people, process, and technology for population management in community health. Families, Systems & Health: The Journal of Collaborative Family Healthcare, 39(1), 112–120. https://doi.org/10.1037/fsh0000591
National Institute of Nursing Research. (n.d.). Research Lenses. Accessed July 30th, 2025 from https://www.ninr.nih.gov/research/research-lenses
Schneider, H., Olivier, J., Orgill, M., Brady, L., Whyle, E., Zulu, J., Sebastian, M. S., & George, A. (2022). The multiple lenses on the community health system: Implications for policy, practice and research. International Journal of Health Policy and Management, 11(1), 9–16. https://doi.org/10.34172/ijhpm.2021.73
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Discussion Question:
Go to the NINR website (National Institute for Nursing Research) found in the additional materials. Click on “Research”, and then, there are five areas listed under “Research Lenses.” Pick the ones that interests you the most. Do you agree with the priority as it is written? Why or why not? What would you change or add? Describe how this initiative be translated into evidence based practice in your work environment. In your replies to your classmates, when possible, reply to someone who chose a “Lens” other than yours. To assist in this objective, please put the “Lens” you chose as your subject in the discussion forum.
Below is the website link
Northern Kentucky University. (2023, October 10). The importance of nursing research for improving practice and patient health outcomes.
National Institute of Nursing Research. (2024). Advancing health equity into the future. NINR.
Department of Health and Human Services. (2024). Agency for Healthcare Research & Quality.
Cochrane. (2024). Cochrane.
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2020). American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2024). Nursing Research. American Association of Colleges of Nursing (AACN).
Institute for Healthcare Improvement. (2023). Improvement area: Triple aim and population health. Institute for Healthcare Improvement.
U.S. Preventive Services Task Force. (2022). United States preventive services taskforce.
Patient Centered Outcomes Research Institute. (2024). Watch the replay: Advancing equity through patient-centered research. Pcori.org.
American Nurses Credentialing Center (2024) ANCC Magnet Recognition Program. ANCC.
Worksheet: Question Templates for Asking PICOT Questions
Application Case Study: Chapter 3: Finding Relevant Evidence to Answer Clinical Questions
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