NR 702 Week 6 Discussion: Methodology

NR 702 Week 6 Discussion: Methodology

NR 702 Week 6 Discussion: Methodology

Name

Chamberlain University

NR-702: DNP Project & Practicum I

Prof. Name

Date

Methodology: Formative Evaluation Discussion

Purpose

The purpose of this discussion is to create a comprehensive plan for conducting a formative evaluation of the proposed project. Formative evaluation plays a critical role in determining whether the intervention is implemented according to its original design. As emphasized in the Week 6 Intervention Fidelity lesson, fidelity to the intervention is essential because successful outcomes depend on the consistent and accurate application of planned strategies.

As the project manager, it is necessary to develop a structured monitoring approach that verifies alignment between the intervention design and its implementation. Formative evaluation enables ongoing observation, identifies gaps in fidelity, and allows adjustments before these gaps compromise outcomes. High intervention fidelity demonstrates adherence to the proposed strategies, whereas low fidelity indicates deviations that may undermine the project’s effectiveness. Consistent monitoring ensures corrective actions can be taken early, thus enhancing the chances of positive results.

Instructions

Students are required to engage with the assigned readings and respond to the discussion within a limit of 150 words. The response should directly address the following prompts:

  1. State your practice question in PICOT format.

  2. Describe the formative evaluation plan for your project design, including the tools, steps, and monitoring techniques you will apply weekly to assess progress.

  3. Explain your feedback plan if the evaluation shows low fidelity in intervention implementation.

All submissions must follow current APA guidelines and reflect scholarly writing. Students should also use tools such as Grammarly to refine their responses for clarity and professionalism. In addition, they are encouraged to provide respectful and constructive peer feedback by asking clarifying questions, encouraging critical thinking, and sharing helpful insights.

For further support, students should review the DNP Discussion Guidelines available on the Student Resource Center program page.

NR 702 Week 6 Discussion: Methodology

Practice Question in PICOT Format

P: In adult patients diagnosed with hypertension in primary care settings
I: does implementing a structured lifestyle modification program (dietary counseling and physical activity monitoring)
C: compared to standard care alone
O: improve blood pressure control and medication adherence
T: over a 12-week period?

Formative Evaluation Plan

To ensure fidelity, a structured evaluation plan will be applied weekly. This includes:

  • Tools: Patient self-monitoring logs, provider adherence checklists, and electronic health record (EHR) data reports.

  • Steps: Weekly reviews of patient logs, provider documentation audits, and scheduled team meetings.

  • Monitoring Techniques: Real-time tracking through EHR dashboards, feedback sessions with providers, and anonymous patient surveys to verify intervention consistency.

Table 1

Weekly Monitoring Components for Formative Evaluation

Evaluation ElementTools/StrategiesFrequencyResponsible Party
Patient adherenceSelf-monitoring blood pressure logsWeeklyPatient & Nurse
Provider fidelityChecklist of intervention stepsWeeklyProject Manager
System-level monitoringEHR dashboard reviewWeeklyData Analyst
Feedback collectionSurveys and team meeting discussionsWeeklyProject Team & Manager

This approach ensures early detection of challenges, provides accountability, and supports timely improvements in delivery.

Feedback Plan for Low Fidelity

If evaluation reveals low intervention fidelity, the following feedback strategy will be implemented:

  1. Immediate Feedback: Provide prompt, constructive feedback to providers using private discussions to highlight deviations.

  2. Corrective Training: Offer refresher workshops and hands-on demonstrations to reinforce proper intervention techniques.

  3. Collaborative Problem-Solving: Engage team members in identifying barriers (e.g., time constraints, lack of resources) and co-develop solutions.

  4. Reinforcement of Accountability: Use performance dashboards to track improvement trends and recognize individuals or teams achieving high fidelity.

This feedback plan not only addresses challenges but also motivates continuous improvement, ensuring the intervention achieves intended outcomes.

Program Competencies

This discussion aligns with the following program competencies and performance outcomes (POs):

Program Competencies (PCs)Performance Outcomes (POs)
Integrates scientific foundations into daily practicePOs 3, 5
Applies leadership and organizational skills for systemic changePO 6
Uses analytic strategies to translate evidence into practicePOs 3, 5
Evaluates information systems and technology in healthcarePOs 6, 7
Analyzes health policies for equitable access and justicePOs 2, 9
Fosters collaboration, prevention, and population healthPO 8
Synthesizes research and data to improve preventative carePO 1
Demonstrates advanced judgment, resilience, and accountabilityPOs 1, 4

Course Outcomes

This discussion also supports the following course outcomes:

Course OutcomesAssociated Competencies & POs
Design an evidence-based translational science project to resolve a practice issuePCs 1–8; POs 1–9
Apply project design strategies at micro, meso, and macro levels to address practice challengesPCs 1–8; POs 1–9

References

American Association of Colleges of Nursing. (2021). The essentials: Core competencies for professional nursing education. AACN.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2022). Program performance and evaluation office (PPEO). https://www.cdc.gov/eval

NR 702 Week 6 Discussion: Methodology

Polit, D. F., & Beck, C. T. (2021). Nursing research: Generating and assessing evidence for nursing practice (11th ed.). Wolters Kluwer.