An integrative collaborative approach in the contextualization of evidence-based practice in Kampala, Uganda: establishing and maintaining education, research and clinical practice link with nurses and healthcare professionals

Within the field of contemporary nursing and health care delivery, the promotion and implementation of evidence-based practice is an international priority. However, this presents challenges for healthcare professionals working in complex and different organisations in various countries, where very often, limited healthcare resources prevent adequate implementation of evidence-based practice. Drawing on the authors’ experience, the overall aim of this workshop is to provide an opportunity for delegates to discuss pragmatic issues emerging from an integrative collaborative approach in the promotion of evidence-based healthcare practice at an international level. The workshop will highlight lessons learnt from an inter-professional, work-based initiative, emerging from a British Council Higher Education Links Scheme in Kampala, Uganda. The authors will discuss their experiences of working in collaboration with colleagues, in facilitating research methods workshops and supervising research projects, to demonstrate the generation and implementation of research-based evidence at a level of “cultural acceptability” (Opio 2003). The “translatability” of Western-style (Kabwegyere 1995) approaches to higher education and healthcare in “resource-poor” settings will also be explored. Additionally, findings from analysed data of the outcomes of such an initiative (Corbett 2003) will be provided. Themes addressed will embrace challenges of “contextualizing” evidence-based practice from clinical staff and patients, as well as educational, managerial perspectives.