Abstract
The implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) in health care has been focused mainly on hospital settings and there is little research on EBP adoption and implementation among school nurses in Taiwan. This study aimed to determine primary school nurses’ perceptions regarding EBP and to explore the factors that influence EBP in Taiwan. A cross-sectional design was used and the School Nurse Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was developed to collect data. A total of 2679 elementary school nurses in Taiwan were invited to participate in this study, and 1200 completed questionnaires were returned, with a 45% response rate. Participants’ mean age was 37.5 (range: 31–62) years and the mean duration of employment as a school nurse was 8.4 (range: 1–20) years. The majority of participants had a Bachelor’s degree (56%). The results revealed that participants had insufficient EBP knowledge and skills. However, they had a positive attitude toward and moderate self-efficacy in EBP. The demographic data positively correlated with knowledge, attitudes, skills, self-efficacy, and influencing factors. Certain influencing factors were highlighted. As school nurses play a crucial role in promoting children’s health, they ought to embrace EBP so as to provide more effective services. School organization should play a supportive role with regard to EBP implementation.
Highlights
Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become the standard for provision of the best patient care in the clinical care system [1]
The results revealed that participants had insufficient EBP knowledge and skills
The school nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, skills, self-efficacy, and influencing factors relating to EBP were measured with the School Nurse Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire
Summary
Evidence-based practice (EBP) has become the standard for provision of the best patient care in the clinical care system [1]. EBP as a foundation can help nurses clarify clinical problems, search for current research, and carry out evidence-based decision-making to solve those problems. Available evidence shows that school nurses work across education and health with the task of meeting the increasingly complex health needs of children and their families [4,5,6]. To meet these increasingly diverse and complex needs, school nurses must reexamine their practice and demonstrate nursing practice that is based on the best evidence, to ensure efficiency in care and best outcomes for children [7]
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