According to Sommers et al. (2007), practice inquiry is defined as “a set of small-group, practice-based learning and improvement methods designed to help clinicians better manage case-based clinical uncertainty. Clinicians meet regularly at their offices/clinics to present dilemma cases, share clinical experience, review evidence for blending with experience, and draw implications for practice improvement.”
I can see the need for a learning method such as practice inquiries after we leave the structured settings of school. Unfortunately, I haven’t witnessed the practice at either of my rotations. It’s a shame because not only do I think I could benefit from the method, so could both of the clinics that I worked at. It’s important to work with colleagues to stay abreast of the latest guidelines and knowledge, otherwise clinicians each develop their own approaches.
Reference:
Sommers, L. S., Morgan, L., Johnson, L., & Yatabe, K. (2007). Practice Inquiry: Clinical Uncertainty as a Focus for Small-Group Learning and Practice Improvement. Journal of General Internal Medicine, 22(2), 246–252. doi: 10.1007/s11606-006-0059-2
My NP Experience 