Nurses’ attitudes, knowledge, and practices concerning evidence-based practice: a descriptive cross-sectional study

Abstract

Background & Aim: Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an essential approach to patient care that relies on the best available evidence to guide decision-making. However, there are several barriers to implementing EBP among nurses. This study aimed to investigate the attitudes, knowledge, and practices of nurses regarding EBP in patient care, as well as the obstacles they faced in its implementation. Methods and Materials: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 250 nurses from XXX Teaching Hospital in XXXX using a convenience sampling method. Two questionnaires were administered to collect data on nurses’ EBP practices, knowledge, attitudes, and perceived difficulties. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlations, and multivariate analysis of variance were used to analyze the collected data. Results: The study found that nurses had a moderate level of EBP utilization, moderate knowledge of EBP, and positive attitudes toward evidence-based practice. Lack of time was the most commonly reported obstacle, followed by lack of support from management and lack of access to relevant research. Nurses with positive attitudes and more knowledge about EBP were more likely to use it in their daily work. The study also revealed that nurses who had worked for more than 10 years perceived more barriers to implementing EBP than those who had worked for 10 years or less. Conclusion: The study recommends addressing the perceived barriers and promoting facilitators to improve the uptake and implementation of evidence-based practice among nurses in XXXX. This can be achieved by providing nurses with access to relevant research, encouraging supportive management, and promoting positive attitudes toward EBP. Moreover, the study highlights the importance of continuous education and training for nurses, especially those with more than 10 years of experience, to overcome the perceived barriers to EBP implementation.