Evidence-Based Practice

Over the last several years the phrase evidence-based practice (EBP) has appeared in the nursing literature and practice . Despite use of this term, much confusion exists about it's meaning particularly as it relates to nursing practice. Simply speaking, EBP is an approach to clinical problem solving that integrates the best evidence with clinical expertise and patient preferences. Because not all evidence has equal merit, the nurse’s ability to locate the best evidence, critically appraise it’s quality and usefulness, and translate it into practice are important in ensuring quality outcomes (Melnyk & Fineout-Overholt, 2005). While nurses in our rural healthcare organization indicated the desire to be evidence-based, the findings of an internal appraisal of “the state of the practice” suggested otherwise. Thus, using Rogers’ model for the “diffusion of innovations’ as a theoretical framework this non-experimental, pre-test, post-test study with within and between group comparisons proposes to study the effects of an educational intervention on nurses knowledge, attitudes, and evidence-based practices. The knowledge, attitudes, and practices of members of the Nursing Practice and Research Committees (the group most likely to frequently use and apply evidence-based practice) with regard to EBP will be compared to a demographically similar group of experienced staff nurses (RN III and IV’s) prior to and following the introduction of an educational intervention designed to teach and mentor EBP. Those nurses in the Practice and Research Committees will receive education and mentoring from a group of advanced practice nurses with expertise in EBP while the RN III and IV’s will receive similar education and mentoring from members of the Nursing Practice and Research Committees. It is expected that a critical mass effect will assist in the diffusion and implementation of an organization-wide effort to integrate EBP into the clinical setting.

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See more of The 17th International Nursing Research Congress Focusing on Evidence-Based Practice (19-22 July 2006)