Writing a Strong Local Problem Description

Learn how to write a problem description suitable as a starting place for a literature search, following the Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice, 5th Ed. (JHEBP) methodology, or the Problem Description section of a paper that follows the Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence (SQuIRE) 2.0 standards. Based on: Bissett, K., Ascenzi, J., & Whalen, M. (2025). Johns Hopkins evidence-based practice for nurses and healthcare professionals: Model & guidelines (Fifth edition). Sigma Theta Tau International. Goodman, D., Ogrinc, G., Davies, L., Baker, G. R., Barnsteiner, J., Foster, T. C., Gali, K., Hilden, J., Horwitz, L., Kaplan, H. C., Leis, J., Matulis, J. C., Michie, S., Miltner, R., Neily, J., Nelson, W. A., Niedner, M., Oliver, B., Rutman, L., … Thor, J. (2016). Explanation and elaboration of the SQUIRE (Standards for Quality Improvement Reporting Excellence) Guidelines, V.2.0: Examples of SQUIRE elements in the healthcare improvement literature. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(12), e7. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004480 Ogrinc, G., Davies, L., Goodman, D., Batalden, P., Davidoff, F., & Stevens, D. (2016). SQUIRE 2.0 ( Standards for QUality Improvement Reporting Excellence): Revised publication guidelines from a detailed consensus process: Table 1. BMJ Quality & Safety, 25(12), 986–992. https://doi.org/10.1136/bmjqs-2015-004411