Abstract
BackgroundDespite the available research to inform nursing practice, many patients still fail to receive evidence-based care. Several evidence-based practice (EBP) models have been developed to guide nurses through the steps in the process, yet these models have not been uniformly adopted or consistently used. The original purpose of this research was to gather perspectives and experiences of nurses using the Iowa Model of EBP to help inform its introduction into other practice settings. As a more in-depth understanding was gained, the emphasis of the study shifted towards understanding the determinants of the EBP environment.MethodThe study was conducted in an 800-bed comprehensive academic medical centre in the USA with a 25-year history of using the Iowa Model of EBP. Semi-structured in-depth interviews were conducted with twelve nurses from various roles to ascertain their perspectives and experiences using the model. The interview transcripts were reviewed alongside relevant published literature and internal documents in a process of synthesising, theorising, and conceptualising. Data were collected during the first half of 2019.ResultsFour determinants of the local EBP environment were identified from the perspectives and experiences of participants: (1) the importance of a shared model to guide staff through the EBP process; (2) support for EBP in the form of education, hands-on training, and knowledge infrastructure; (3) active team facilitation by direct care nurses, nurse managers, nurse specialists, and nurse scientists; and (4) a culture and leadership that encourages EBP.ConclusionIntroducing an EBP model is an essential first step for an organisation to improve consistent and reliable evidence-based care; to be most effective, this should be done in conjunction with efforts to optimise the EBP environment.
Highlights
Despite the available research to inform nursing practice, many patients still fail to receive evidence-based care
Introducing an evidence-based practice (EBP) model is an essential first step for an organisation to improve consistent and reliable evidence-based care; to be most effective, this should be done in conjunction with efforts to optimise the EBP environment
The findings from this research support the idea that EBP is most effective in a supportive practice environment
Summary
Despite the available research to inform nursing practice, many patients still fail to receive evidence-based care. Despite the abundance of research to inform clinical practice, many patients still fail to receive evidencebased care. Population-level estimates of the quality of health care are limited, but two landmark studies, one from the USA [1] and one from Australia [2], estimate adherence to clinical practice guidelines at 55% and 57%, respectively. Both studies audited a nationwide random sample of medical records to compare the care delivered with nationally endorsed guidelines. For many clinicians, the environments they work in are not always conducive to this [4]
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