CW1. Produce a comprehensive proposal for a literature review to inform decision making in relation to a nursing activity or intervention (1,500 word) Learning outcomes 1-3

ASSESSMENT- 100% of the module mark

CW1. Produce a comprehensive proposal for a literature review to inform decision making in relation to a nursing activity or intervention (1,500 word) Learning outcomes 1-3

The student will produce a 1,500 word (+/- 10%) proposal for undertaking their Year Three literature review, addressing a research question on a topic aligned and pertinent to their chosen field of nursing.

This Proposal should provide a succinct clearly written account of the proposed literature review?

It should:

• Describe what will be done.
• Justify why it should be done.
• Indicate how it will be done.

The word counts, overleaf, ar4e suggestions only.

AREA OF ASSIGNMENT	WHAT IS EXPECTED	HINT ON MARKING
Introduction	You should clarify the intentions of your proposal  and argue the importance of EBP Approx 100	Clearly understands what is required?
Question Formation and Aims of the review	Using PICO, SPICE, SPICE or ProPheT,  identify your specific research question and the aims of your literature review 200	Have a clear and specific research question and aims been identified?
Justification for question	You should rationalize the value of your enquiry to nursing practice. Why does this topic need investigating? Sell it to us. 350/400	Have the potential benefits of the proposed review been highlighted? Has emphasis been placed on what is new or original about the review?
Ethics	You must consider the need for ethical approval 100	Has explicit consideration been given to the ethical approval process?
Proposed search strategy and critique Criteria for Selection	You need to justify your proposed search strategy databases, keywords etc. 350/400	Is the search strategy coherent, justified and well planned?
Limitations and strengths	You should analyse any strengths and limitations in relation to your proposal Approx 300	Are the limitations of the review acknowledged?
Conclusion	100 Summary of main points

Sample Answer

Literature Review Proposal: Nurse-led Interventions to Reduce Hospital Readmissions in Patients with Chronic Heart Failure

Introduction

The aim of this proposal is to outline a structured and evidence-based plan for a literature review focused on the effectiveness of nurse-led interventions in reducing hospital readmissions for patients with chronic heart failure (CHF). Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) is a core component of nursing and essential for improving patient outcomes and ensuring cost-effective care. This proposal will describe what the literature review will involve, explain why this topic is significant to nursing practice, and outline how the review will be conducted. CHF is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management, and nurses are often at the forefront of this care. By investigating this topic, the review aims to support the development of effective nursing strategies in managing CHF and reducing the pressure on acute services.

Question Formation and Aims of the Review

To guide the literature review, the PICO framework will be used. PICO is suitable for clinical topics and stands for:

• P – Population: Adults diagnosed with chronic heart failure
• I – Intervention: Nurse-led interventions (e.g. home visits, telemonitoring, self-management education)
• C – Comparison: Standard medical care without additional nurse-led input
• O – Outcome: Reduced hospital readmission rates

Using PICO, the research question is:

“How effective are nurse-led interventions compared to standard care in reducing hospital readmissions for adult patients with chronic heart failure?”

The aims of the literature review are:

1. To explore the current evidence on different nurse-led interventions used for patients with CHF.
2. To evaluate whether these interventions are effective in reducing hospital readmission rates.
3. To assess the implications for nursing practice and recommend improvements for future care delivery.

Justification for the Question

Chronic heart failure is a major public health issue in the UK and globally. According to the British Heart Foundation (2023), more than 900,000 people in the UK live with heart failure. It is a leading cause of emergency admissions, particularly in older adults, and hospital readmission rates remain high despite medical advances. The NHS spends a large proportion of its resources on unplanned admissions, and reducing readmission has become a key target in healthcare policy.

Nurses are in a strong position to make a difference in the lives of CHF patients due to their regular contact with them, their ability to build therapeutic relationships, and their role in education and support. Nurse-led care may include structured education about self-management, home monitoring, medication adherence support, and early detection of symptoms. These interventions can potentially prevent deterioration and avoid unnecessary hospital stays.