Basic nursing care: The most provided, the least evidence based – A discussion paper

Abstract

Aims and objectives: To describe and discuss the “Basic Care Revisited” (BCR) research programme, a collaborative initiative that contributes to evidence-based basic nursing care and raises awareness about the importance of basic nursing care activities. Background: While basic nursing care serves nearly all people at some point in their lifetime, it is poorly informed by evidence. There is a need to prioritise and evaluate basic nursing care activities to improve patient outcomes and improve the quality of care. Design: Discussion paper. Method: The discussion presented in this paper is based on nursing literature and theory and supported by the authors’ clinical and research experiences. We present the developmental process and content of a research programme called “Basic Care Revisited” (BCR) as a solution to move forward and improve basic nursing care. Discussion: To prioritise basic nursing care, we propose a research programme entitled “Basic Care Revisited” that aims to create awareness and expand knowledge on evidence-based basic nursing care by addressing four basic nursing care themes (bathing and dressing, communication, mobility, and nutrition) in different settings. The paper discusses a pathway to create a sustainable and productive research collaborative on basic nursing care and addresses issues to build research capacity. Relevance to clinical practice: Revaluation of these important nursing activities will not only positively influence patient outcomes, but also have an impact on staff outcomes and organisational outcomes.