published online 07 November 2011.
Article Outline
Connie M. Lewis, RN, MSN, ANP-C, ACNP-BC, CCRN, CHFN
There are approximately 6 million Americans living with heart failure and more than 670,000 patients with newly diagnosed heart failure annually who depend on heart failure nurses to combine the science and art of nursing/medicine to improve patient outcomes and quality of life, while decreasing readmissions, length of stay, and cost.
1 Translational research is often described as the translation of the evidence from clinical trials into real-world practice. We know from numerous studies that it may take 1 or 2 decades for original research to be implemented into everyday practice.
2 Because “patients are the heart of what we do,” heart failure nurses have to recognize their significant roles in research. Few of us are involved in basic science research, although many play integral roles in nursing research initiatives and clinical trials. All of us should participate in the challenge to narrow the gap between interpreting results from clinical studies and changing our clinical practice to reflect the dissemination of that knowledge. We play a pivotal role in assessing that our patients are receiving the lifesaving medical and device therapies that are appropriate. A goal of translational research is to rapidly diffuse available knowledge, interventions, and innovations into daily practice while understanding the barriers to practice. Fontanarosa and colleagues
3 stated that “effective translation of the new knowledge, mechanisms, and techniques generated by advances in basic science research into new approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of disease is essential for improving health.” Heart failure nurses from novice to expert and from research roles to clinic practice, academics, and administrative roles are uniquely positioned to make a difference in the health care of our patients. We can have a positive influence on the health care delivery systems, the decisions of policy makers, and the public awareness of the challenges our patients with heart failure and their families and caregivers face on a day-to-day basis. We must not be complacent. We are the best advocate for our patients. We can make a difference.
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References
- Lloyd-Jones D, Adams RJ, Brown TM, et al. Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2010 Update. A Report from the American Heart Association Statistics Committee and Stroke Statistics Subcommittee. Circulation. 2010;121:e1–e170
- Sussman S, Valente TW, Rohrbach LA, et al. Translation in the health professions: converting science into action. Eval Health Prof. 2006;29:7–32
- Fontanarosa PB, DeAngelis CD. Basic science and translational research in. JAMA. 2002;287:1728
Connie M. Lewis is a nurse practitioner at Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tennessee. Her clinical practice includes both inpatient and outpatient management in the Advanced Heart Failure Program.
