Respond to this discussion post: Evaluation and Linking Evidence-Based Practice to Clinical Outcomes

Respond with at least 275 words to this peers’ discussion post using at least 2 scholarly journals/articles published within the last 5 years as references. Discussion Prompt: Discuss how your research inquiry relates to evidence-based practice. What practice improvement outcomes do you expect your inquiry to accomplish? How do you intend to evaluate your capstone project? Discussion post to reply to: “Capstone Project PICOT: Among adults with cardiac disease risk factors in the United States, does the utilization of obesity management strategies over a 10-year period significantly reduce the risk of cardiac disease-related mortality by at least 5%, compared to those not utilizing such strategies? This topic is well established in evidence-based practice. Research shows that obesity significantly increases the risk of cardiovascular disease, including hypertension, heart failure, and stroke (Arnett et al., 2019). Evidence-based guidelines from organizations like the CDC and American Heart Association support interventions such as dietary changes, increased physical activity, behavioral counseling, and medication management to address obesity and reduce cardiac risks (Iwamoto et al., 2021). Utilizing these strategies ensures that patient care is effective and aligned with the most current clinical evidence. The primary practice improvement outcomes I aim to achieve include enhanced patient engagement in obesity management and measurable reductions in modifiable risk factors, such as body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels. These outcomes have the potential to reduce the incidence of cardiac events and lower cardiac-related mortality rates over time. Evaluating my capstone project will take time, due to the 10-year study. I will primarily use a quantitative, longitudinal approach, which allows for tracking outcomes in the same individuals over time (Barroga & Matanguihan, 2022). Record reviews will help assess changes in clinical markers such as BMI, blood pressure, lipid levels, HbA1c, and cardiac events over the 10-year period in adults with obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. By comparing outcomes before and after applying obesity management strategies, like nutrition counseling, exercise, and medication support, I can evaluate their effectiveness. I may also incorporate qualitative methods, such as patient interviews, to gain a better understanding of the barriers to adherence and personal experiences with treatment.”