Registered Nurses’ Attitudes and Confidence in Evidence-based Practice and Facilitators and Barriers for Implementation: A Literature Review
This study aimed to identify, appraise, and summarize the available evidence relating to nurses’ attitudes, confidence in evidence-based practice (EBP), and facilitators and barriers for implementation of EBP in nursing.
Methods. PubMed, The Cochrane Library, EBSCO (Nursing Reference Center Plus), and Google Scholar were searched from January 2010 to January 2021. Studies in English that met the following criteria were considered for inclusion: quantitative and qualitative research that assessed the most common facilitators and barriers for implementation of EBP in nursing practice; and nurses’ attitudes and confidence in using EBP in their daily routine.
Results. Seventeen studies were included in the review. In quantitative studies, questionnaires were specifically developed for use in six while the other 10 used validated instruments. One qualitative study was included. In 12 studies, researchers reported elements of nurses’ attitudes and confidence about EBP. Facilitators to the implementation of EBP were explored in 11 studies, and barriers were identified in 12 studies. Results of this review indicate that nurses face challenges in implementing EBP.
Conclusion. To improve the use of EBP in nursing practice, nurses need to understand that nursing practice depends on some fundamental factors such as nurse education, computer literacy, work environment, experience, personal qualities, and colleagues around them. This literature review highlights the necessity of education in finding and accessing evidence, nurses’ autonomy over nursing practice, mentorship for successful implementation, and organizational support.
Correspondence to . Department of Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Medical Academy, Lithuanian University of Health Sciences, Eivenių 4, Kaunas LT-50161. E-mail: juste.kiviliene@lsmu.lt