Nursing practice, knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice at an academic medical center

Brown, Caroline E.
Wickline, Mary A.
Ecoff, Laurie
Glaser, Dale

Caroline E. Brown DEd CNS WHNP, Evidence-Based Practice Research Liaison UCSD Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, USA
Mary A. Wickline MLIS MEd, Instruction and Outreach Librarian to Nurses and Allied Health UCSD Medical Center, University of California, San Diego, USA
Laurie Ecoff MS RN, Director of Research, Education, and Professional Practice Sharp Memorial Hospital, San Diego, California, USA
Dale Glaser PhD, Principal Glaser Consulting, San Diego, California, USA

Correspondence to C.E. Brown: e-mail: [email protected]

Accepted for publication 25 September 2008

Journal of Advanced Nursing 65(2):p 371-381, February 2009.

Title

Nursing practice, knowledge, attitudes and perceived barriers to evidence-based practice at an academic medical center

Aim

This paper is a report of a study to describe nurses' practices, knowledge, and attitudes related to evidence-based nursing, and the relation of perceived barriers to and facilitators of evidence-based practice.

Background

Evidence-based practice has been recognized by the healthcare community as the gold standard for the provision of safe and compassionate healthcare. Barriers and facilitators for the adoption of evidence-based practice in nursing have been identified by researchers. Healthcare organizations have been challenged to foster an environment conducive to providing care based on evidence and not steeped in ritualized practice.

Methods

A descriptive, cross-sectional research study was conducted in 2006–2007 with a convenience sample of 458 nurses at an academic medical center in California (response rate 44·68%). Two reliable and valid questionnaires were electronically formatted and administered using a secured website. Relationships between responses to the two instruments were examined and results compared with previously published data.

Results

Organizational barriers (lack of time and lack of nursing autonomy) were the top perceived barriers. Facilitators were learning opportunities, culture building, and availability and simplicity of resources. Statistically significant correlations were found between barriers and practice, knowledge and attitudes related to evidence-based practice.

Conclusion

Similar barriers to the adoption of evidence-based practice have been identified internationally. Educators must work with managers to address organizational barriers and proactively support evidence-based practice.