Evidence-based Practice In Practice Research Articles

The Indonesian Version of Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ): An Evaluation of Reliability

Introduction: The use of evidence-based practice (EBP) has been demonstrated to increase the quality of patient care. However, the extent to which it is practiced in Indonesia is yet to be determined. It was necessary to develop a means of measuring EBP in order to acquire a profile of the use of EBP in Indonesia. The EBP questionnaire (EBPQ) developed by Upton and Upton was selected in the current study to evaluate the perceptions of healthcare workers regarding their knowledge of, attitudes toward, and practice of EBP. This questionnaire is widely recognized; however, an Indonesian version has not yet been developed. This study aimed to translate the EBPQ developed by Upton and Upton into Indonesian and to evaluate its reliability. Method: WHO framework on how to translate and adapt an instrument was applied. On completion of the forward translation and discussion process, backward translation of the EBPQ was performed, after which it was pretested and finalized. Reliability was tested by testing the questionnaire on 42 nurses at five hospitals in Depok and Jakarta. Result: Four words were changed. All items are valid. The reliability analysis resulted Cronbach’s a of 0.96 (a = 0.92, 0.80, and 0.96 for practice, attitude, and knowledge, respectively. Thus, 24 translated statements determined to be valid and reliable, were included in the final version. Conclusion: The Indonesian translated version of the EBPQ proposed by Upton and Upton was demonstrated to be valid and reliable. Further studies on the perceptions of healthcare workers are warranted.

Evidence-Based Practice in Mental Health Care to Ethnic Minority Communities

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has contributed substantially to the advancement of knowledge in the treatment and prevention of adult mental health disorders. A fundamental assumption, based on documented evidence of effectiveness with certain populations, is that EBP is equally effective and applicable to all populations. However, small sample sizes of ethnic minority populations in randomized clinical trials prevent strong and clear conclusions about the effectiveness and generalizability of EBP with regard to people of color. In addition, the appropriateness of EBPs to ethnic minority communities has rarely been investigated. This article critically examines the applicability and dissemination of adult mental health EBP to diverse ethnic minority populations. It highlights limitations of EBP rooted in its epistemological narrowness, exclusion of communities of color, and lack of cultural competence and examines whether the practice of EBP has overstepped its evidence. This article presents a framework characterized by pathways of epistemological partnership and substantive inclusion of racial and ethnic minority groups to facilitate the promotion of culturally responsive EBPs and to inform mental health practice and policy implementation.

Health Sciences-Evidence Based Practice Questionnaire (HS-EBP): Normative Data and Differential Profiles in Spanish Osteopathic Professionals.

The main goal of this study was to obtain normative data of the scores of the Health-Sciences Evidence Based Practice (HS-EBP) questionnaire, and to analyse evidence-based practice (EBP) among potential clusters of osteopathy professionals in Spain. An online descriptive cross-sectional study has been applied. A total number of 443 Spanish practicing osteopaths answered a survey including the 5 dimensions of the HS-EBP questionnaire and sociodemographic, training, and practice variables using the “LimeSurvey” online platform. Results point out that the median scores for each five HS-EBP questionnaire dimensions were 95.00, 86.00, 78.00, 84.00 and 62.00 considering that the range of possible scores in each of the dimensions was: from 12 to 120 in dimensions 1, 4 and 5; from 14–140 in dimension 2; and from 10–100 in dimension 3. A clustering algorithm extracted 6 different profiles across the five HS-EBP latent dimensions: low scores in all dimensions (cluster 1); low scores in all dimensions but with medium scores in dimension 1 (cluster 2); mixed pattern of scores, low in dimensions 2 and 5 and medium in the rest of the dimensions; medium scores in all dimensions (cluster 4); high scores in all dimensions and low scores in dimension 5 (cluster 5); and high scores in all dimensions (cluster 6). Significant relationship was found among the response patterns in the clusters and: academic degree level, EBP training and training level, and work time invested in healthcare activity, research and teaching activity. These results allow a description of the actual level of EBP and differential profiles of Osteopathy care practice in Spain. Knowledge of normative scores of the HS-EBP questionnaire and identification of different predictors of Spanish osteopaths’ EBP, e.g., academic degree, EBP training and training level, work time invested in healthcare activity, research, and teaching activity, and having a working relationship with an accredited educational centre, enable a comprehensive evaluation of the EBP of osteopathic professionals and can also be useful for developing and implementing formative intervention programs for improving EBP practice in osteopathic practice.

Registered Nurses' Evidence-Based Practice Revisited: A Longitudinal Study in Mid-Career.

BackgroundTo improve patient outcomes and patient safety and to reduce costs in health care, the implementation of evidence‐based practice (EBP) is crucial.AimsTo examine the use of the EBP process in Swedish health care. Specifically, to examine whether professional career development (years of experience, years in current position, specialist education, care setting) is associated with RNs’ practice of EBP activities and changes in the extent of practicing the EBP process between early and mid‐career.MethodsIn this observational longitudinal study, the extent of EBP activities was investigated in three national cohorts of 2,474 RNs. Nurses rated their own EBP levels 11–15 and three years after graduation. Six items measured the respondents’ extent of practicing the EBP process. Comparisons of EBP levels between subgroups were tested using unpaired t‐tests or one‐way ANOVAs.ResultsOn average, RNs used the EBP process occasionally every half year. RNs with specialist education reported a higher extent of EBP activities as did RNs who worked in outpatient and home care settings. There was a significant increase in the extent of EBP activities 11 to 13 years after graduation compared to three years after graduation.Linking Evidence to ActionThe findings raise some central questions for practice: How well equipped are RNs to practice the EBP process? What is needed to facilitate EBP in clinical settings? Building on the findings of this study, managers in clinical practice need to develop supportive organizational structures that facilitate EBP. This study suggests that mid‐career RNs increased the extent of practicing the EBP process over time compared to previous reported practice in their first years as RNs. However, the level of EBP activities was low to moderate, and this modest increase took 11 to 13 years to achieve. To enhance the practice of EBP in nursing care, educational and organizational factors need to be considered.

Teaching evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing curricula in six European countries—A descriptive study

BackgroundTeaching evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing education varies among nurse educators and universities. Lack of nurses' knowledge and skills are among the barriers commonly associated with the limited use of EBP in practice. ObjectivesTo describe the presence, characteristics and content of courses of EBP in nursing bachelor's, master's, and PhD programs in six European countries. DesignA descriptive study design was employed. SettingsThe study was implemented as part of the EBP e-Toolkit Project as a strategic partnership of six European higher education institutions from six countries in the framework of the Erasmus+ Programme. ParticipantsCensus sampling (N = 225) was used. A total of 162 (72%) faculties responded from the following countries: Spain (79), Italy (44), the Czech Republic (15), Poland (12), Greece (7), and Slovenia (5). MethodsThree structured instruments were developed by using the consensus development panel. The research was conducted from December 2018 to March 2019. For names of subjects, a manual narrative Template Analysis was used with open descriptive coding. ResultsSubjects in “EBP in Nursing or Health Care” are included in 45 (29.2%) bachelor's programs, mostly worth 180 European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) credits, 30 (28%) master's, and 6 (40%) PhD programs. In bachelor's programs, an average of 134 h are spent teaching EBP steps, followed by 127 h in master's programs and 52 h in PhD programs. EBP subjects have different focuses: clear topics in EBP, development of research knowledge, awareness of the need for evidence-based clinical work, and understanding the needs of the profession. ConclusionsTeaching EBP is not yet sufficiently integrated into nursing curricula. For more efficient integration, guidelines on the standardization of teaching approaches and content have to be developed in all three cycles of higher education. Further research is needed on the implementation of teaching at master's and PhD levels of nursing curricula.

Impact of a Formal Educational Skill-Building Program Based on the ARCC Model to Enhance Evidence-Based Practice Competency in Nurse Teams.

Implementation of evidence-based practice (EBP) is necessary for healthcare systems to improve quality, safety, patient outcomes, and costs. Yet, EBP competency is lacking in many nurses and clinicians across the country. The purpose of this initiative was to determine whether nursing teams (Executive Leader, Clinical/Mid-level Leader, and Direct Care Nurse) attending a 5-day EBP continuing education skill-building program (immersion) was an effective strategy to build EBP competence, practice, and culture sustainability over time. The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration Model was used to guide this initiative. A project team was assembled, including leaders with EBP expertise from the Air Force Medical Service and The Helene Fuld Health Trust National Institute for EBP in Nursing and Healthcare at The Ohio State University. Five survey instruments were used to evaluate outcomes, including Organizational Culture and Readiness for System-Wide Implementation of Evidence-Based Practice, Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs, Evidence-Based Practice Implementation, and Evidence-Based Practice Competencies, as well as the Knowledge Assessment Questionnaire test. Nursing teams were invited to participate and complete the program with the implementation of EBP projects over the following year. Participants' EBP knowledge, skills, competencies, and beliefs were significantly improved and sustained over 12months. A team-based EBP skill-building program was an effective strategy for building EBP competence, practice, and culture. This initiative demonstrated that the direct involvement of leadership and infrastructure to support EBP were crucial factors for building and sustaining an EBP culture.

The Effect of an Evidence-Based Practice Education and Mentoring Program on Increasing Knowledge, Practice, and Attitudes Toward Evidence-Based Practice in a Rural Critical Access Hospital.

The aim of this study was to determine the effect of an evidence-based practice (EBP) education and mentoring program on the knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward EBP among staff nurses and clinicians in a rural critical access hospital. While rural nurses value EBP, they often have more limited resources to engage in EBP activities compared with urban-based nurses. Direct care nurses and clinicians participated in a 5-month EBP education and mentoring program following the Iowa Model Revised: Evidence-Based Practice to Promote Excellence in Health Care. The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire was used to assess pretest-posttest knowledge, practice, and attitudes toward EBP. Knowledge and practice of EBP increased significantly (P = .008 and P = .015, respectively) after the EBP education and mentoring intervention. Attitudes toward EBP also increased, although the increase was not statistically significant (P = .106). Education and mentoring of healthcare clinicians in rural settings are crucial to the translation of evidence-based research into practice to improve patient outcomes.

The Impact of the Electronic Health Record on Moving New Evidence-Based Nursing Practices Forward.

Anecdotal reports from across the country highlight the fact that nurses are facing major challenges in moving new evidence-based practice (EBP) initiatives into the electronic health record (EHR). The purpose of this study was to: (a) learn current processes for embedding EBP into EHRs, (b) uncover facilitators and barriers associated with rapid movement of new evidence-based nursing practices into the EHR and (c) identify strategies and processes that have been successfully implemented in healthcare organizations across the nation. A qualitative study design was utilized. Purposive sampling was used to recruit nurses from across the country (N=29). Nine focus group sessions were conducted. Semistructured interview questions were developed. Focus groups were conducted by video and audio conferencing. Using an inductive approach, each transcript was read and initial codes were generated resulting in major themes and subthemes. Five major themes were identified: (a) barriers to advancing EBP secondary to the EHR, (b) organizational structure and governing processes of the EHR, (c) current processes for prioritization of EHR changes, (d) impact on ability of clinicians to implement EBP and (e) wait times and delays. Delays in moving new EBP practice changes into the EHR are significant. These delays are sources of frustration and job dissatisfaction. Our results underscore the importance of a priori planning for anticipated changes and building expected delays into the timeline for EBP projects. Moreover, nurse executives must advocate for greater representation of nursing within informatics technology governance structures and additional resources to hire nurse informaticians.

Impact of an extracurricular, student-led journal club on evidence-based practice among baccalaureate nursing students.

Objective Journal clubs are accepted as an effective strategy for promoting evidence-based practice (EBP). However, journal clubs are underutilized in nursing education, and little is known about the impact of extracurricular, student-led journal clubs on EBP implementation among baccalaureate nursing students. The purpose of this study was to estimate the impact of journal club attendance on EBP implementation. Methods A web-based survey was conducted in April 2019 following eight sessions of monthly journal club among senior nursing students (n=78). Results Fifteen students attended four or more extracurricular, student-led journal club sessions (19.2%). EBP practice score was significantly higher among frequent journal club attendees. In multivariate analysis, journal club attendance was the significant predictor of EBP practice (β=0.34; p=0.006). Conclusion Graduating senior nursing students who attend extracurricular, student-led journal club sessions are more likely to carry out EBP practice. Participation in journal clubs may help increase their EBP competencies.

Evaluation of a Hospital-Based Nursing Research and Evidence-Based Practice Mentorship Program on Improving Nurses' Knowledge, Attitudes, and Evidence-Based Practice

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is a core requirement for nurses, contributing toward better clinical outcomes. Mentorship could prepare early adopters of EBP to create an EBP culture. Nine nurses in an acute hospital in Singapore participated in a mentorship program throughout 2015. Mentees conducted ward-based EBP education sessions for nursing colleagues. The Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (EBPQ) was used to measure the program's effect on mentees' and their ward colleagues' knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBP. Both groups completed the EBPQ before and 3 months after completion of the program. Wilcoxon rank-sum tests were performed to compare changes in EBPQ scores. Both mentees and ward colleagues reported improved posttest median scores for all EBPQ subscales and the overall score. However, mentees reported a larger magnitude of improvement. A hospital-based research and EBP mentorship program increases nurses' knowledge, attitude, and practice of EBP, creating an EBP culture change. [J Contin Educ Nurs. 2020;51(1):46-52.].

Survey of Attitudes, Knowledge, and Barriers to Evidence-Based Practice Among Thai Physical Therapists

Purpose: Healthcare professionals are encouraged to use evidence-based practice (EBP) to improve the quality of care and the patient’s quality of life. Knowledge and skill set specific to EBP, critical resources such as time and accessibility to databases, and clinician’s attitude toward EBP are needed for successful implementation of EBP. However, little is currently known about these factors among Thai Physical Therapists (PTs). This study aimed to explore the patterns of attitudes, perceived knowledge, and barriers toward EBP in Thai PTs. Method: An online questionnaire was used to obtain information regarding attitudes, knowledge, and barriers from Thai PTs. Descriptive statistics were used to describe the responses. Multiple logistic regression was used to determine the association between personal and work characteristics and the responses related to attitude, knowledge, and barriers. Results: A total of 719 Thai PTs responded to the questionnaire. Based on this sample, Thai PTs had positive attitudes and perceived themselves as having sufficient background EBP education and skills. They were confident in performing a literature search, critically appraisal, and applying research in their practice. However, the frequencies of searching and reading of literature were relatively low. Less than half of respondents understood terms related to EBP asked in the survey instrument. The barriers to EBP were insufficient time and limited research and statistical skills. PTs who were younger and having higher education were more likely to have better attitudes and knowledge. Conclusions: Despite the positive attitude and perceived knowledge of EBP, time allocation, formal training of EBP skills during academic preparation, and continuing education are required to overcome the barriers toward EBP. The discrepancy between the perception and practice of EBP observed calls for further investigation of actual skills and the barriers to the implementation of EBP.

Virtual Grand Rounds: A Curricular Model for Translating Evidence-Based Practice From the Classroom to the Clinic

Background and Purpose. The physical therapy profession supports educating physical therapist graduates to use evidence-based practice (EBP) skills in the clinical environment. Educational interventions to teach EBP include a variety of formats, but most focus on changing student and clinician knowledge and skills rather than changing actual clinician behavior. The literature suggests that for clinician behavior to change, educational interventions must be integrated into clinical practice. To describe the restructuring of the ATSU research and EBP curriculum including the development of a course, Virtual Grand Rounds (VGR), that focused on EBP skills and took place during clinical experiences. Method/Model Description and Evaluation. The curriculum and VGR course were designed for students to learn EBP skills, develop tolerance for uncertainty, implement EBP within time demands of the clinic, and use workplace supports. All physical therapy students completed both the Evidence-Based Practice Beliefs (EBPB) scale and the Evidence-Based Practice Implementation (EBPI) scale at program entry and at the end of years 1, 2, and 3 (graduation). Outcomes. A total of 727 EBPB and 719 EBPI surveys were completed and analyzed. Using an analysis of variance with Scheffe post hoc analyses, significant differences (P < .05) were found between the EBPB and EBPI scores for each year of data collection with the exception of a nonsignificant change between year 1 and year 2 (P = .998 and P = .702). The overall EBPI score at graduation indicated that during the final clinical year, students performed each EBP skill somewhere between 1 and 5 times during the clinical experience. Changes in individual question scores indicated increases in students' skills, knowledge, and application throughout all years. Discussion and Conclusion. Evidence-based practice implementation increased throughout the 3 years and was at the highest following the final clinical year when students participated in the newly developed VGR. By situating practice of EBP within the time constraints of the clinical environment, the setting where EBP takes place, students are equipped to move away from the reliance on clinical expertise to evidence-based physical therapy. The development of the VGR course described in this article shifts EBP from an academic exercise in the classroom to an activity imbedded in real clinical practice. Other programs may find this integrated course helpful in removing barriers to EBP and developing graduates equipped to integrate EBP in the clinical environment.

Exploring sociodemographic factors related to practice, attitude, knowledge, and skills concerning evidence-based practice in clinical nursing.

This study aimed to explore sociodemographic factors related to evidence-based practice (EBP) competency in Japanese nurses in university hospitals. In March 2016, a survey was distributed to 843 clinical nurses who directly provide nursing care at two university hospitals in Japan. Multiple regression analyses were conducted on data received from 472 nurses using the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (Japanese version). Sociodemographic factors related to EBP competency were experience with conducting nursing research as a part of continuing education, education about EBP, advanced practice certification (certified nurse specialists/certified nurses), and years of experience in clinical nursing. These factors differed across the four subscales of the questionnaire: Practice, Attitude, Knowledge of Research and Practice, and Skills of Research and Practice. Specifically, experience with two or more nursing research activities was significantly positively associated with Attitude and Knowledge/Skills Concerning Research and Practice of EBP, but not related to the implementation of EBP itself. Advanced practice certification was significantly positively associated with Practice and Attitude of EBP. Our study quantitatively identified sociodemographic factors including experience with conducting nursing research and advanced practice certification status that were found to be related to EBP competency and these factors were differently associated with the four subscales of the Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire (Japanese version). EBP education should depend on nurses' levels of EBP competency, and nursing educators and managers need to be cognizant of their nurses' sociodemographic factors when providing EBP education.

Knowledge, attitudes and practices towards evidence based practice: A survey amongst radiographers

IntroductionIt is increasingly becoming a requirement for radiographers to use the concept of Evidence Based Practice (EBP) to inform their clinical practice. The purpose of this study was to assess knowledge, attitudes and practices towards the use of EBP as well as to establish factors that influence the use of EBP amongst radiographers in Uganda. MethodsA total of 83 respondents participated in a cross-sectional survey conducted amongst qualified radiographers licensed to practice in Uganda. Data was collected using a self-reporting questionnaire that was accessed through the Bristol Online Survey Software. Using SPSS version 21, descriptive and inferential statistics were generated. ResultsThe study revealed that 47 (57%) and 36 (43%) respondents scored themselves as having high and low knowledge of EBP respectively. However, 52 (63%) respondents scored themselves as having a negative attitude towards EBP. As regards use of EBP, 49 (59%) out of 83 respondents reported use of EBP in clinical practice. Using binary logistic regression, a significant association was found between a high knowledge level and the use of EBP (Adjusted OR, 95% CI: 9.89: 3.54–27.64). ConclusionOverall, majority of the respondents had high knowledge levels about EBP. However, a high proportion of them were found to have a negative attitude towards EBP. High knowledge levels of EBP were strongly associated with use of EBP in practice. This finding provides helpful insights for policy makers to consider a holistic approach towards improving the use of EBP among radiographers through devising interventions that strengthen both knowledge and attitude towards EBP.

Knowledge and attitudes of entry-level and final-level physical therapy students about evidence-based practice - A cross-sectional study

Evidence-based practice (EBP) has gained widespread acceptance in the health profession. Little is known about the attitudes, knowledge, and behavior about EBP of physical therapy students at different levels in Brazil. OBJECTIVES: To compare the EBP-related knowledge, practice, attitudes between the entry-level and final-level physical therapy students. METHODS: A cross-sectional study including 60 physical therapy students was conducted. The participants completed a questionnaire to determine their attitudes, knowledge, practice skills and barriers regarding EBP. The survey consisted of 38 items about EBP (relevance, terminology and practice skills) and 7 items related as barriers to adopt the EBP during physical therapy graduation. Total scores were calculated. For each of the three sections scores of a 5-point Likert scale were considered. RESULTS: The sample was composed of 40 students in the entry-level and 20 in the final-level. The mean age of the sample was 23.3 (SD=7.6). The mean score of the sample in the EBP survey was 83.5 (SD=20.8). We did not find difference between final-level group (mean=101.6; SD=17.8) and entry-level students (mean=74.5; SD= 15.8) (p=.45). Students of the final-level group presented higher scores in all EBP sections (relevance, terminology, practice skills). A higher mean difference was observed in terminology (-17.8) section. The most common barriers reported by the students of both groups were “lack of knowledge of statistics” (19.3%), “lack of time” (17.7%) and “language” (16%). CONCLUSION: The difference in all sections about evidence based knowledge and attitudes where not expressive between the final-level and the entry-level students. Regarding practice skills, students were not confident about their abilities in the EBP steps.

Capstone Projects As Experiential Evidence-Based Practice Education

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an important competency for family nurse practitioners (FNPs), and various EBP educational strategies have been used. This pretest– posttest cohort study evaluated the effects of capstone projects on EBP knowledge, attitude, practice, beliefs, and competence among 68 FNP students. After completion of the projects over 3 semesters, students’ EBP beliefs, knowledge, practice, and competence improved significantly. The students’ perception of EBP competence and the effectiveness of translational research courses were significant predictors of EBP practice at posttest. Capstone projects, as an experiential EBP educational strategy, appear to be effective in equipping FNP students with EBP competencies.

Implications of a wide-scale educational intervention to engage nurses in evidence-based practice: The Italian RN4CAST experience.

In Italy, there are still many barriers to the development of a culture of evidence-based practice (EBP) and nurses' knowledge of EBP is lacking. Additionally, in Italy there are still very few advanced practice registered nurses to significantly contribute to the development of EBP. This aims to identify the implications of a wide-scale nursing education intervention to engage clinical nurses in EBP through the Italian RN4CAST study. A qualitative study based on a thematic analysis. A total of 800 clinical nurses actively participated in nine training sessions across Italy. At the end of each training session written feedback data were collected and then underwent thematic analysis. All participants were strongly motivated to engage in EBP thanks to their involvement in the RN4CAST project. With regard to the implications of EBP, the thematic analysis produced the following themes: Professional identity; Quality of care; Perceptions of patients and nurses; Research impact; and Organization. The involvement of a large number of clinical nurses in a research project raised their awareness about the advantages of engaging in EBP, and how evidence can be used to raise motivation to change current practice policies.

Barriers Associated With Evidence-Based Practice Among Nurses in Low- and Middle-Income Countries: A Systematic Review.

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is both a goal and an approach that requires a combination of clinical experience with the most credible recent research evidence when making decisions in healthcare practice. The approach has been widely embraced; however, an evidence-to-practice gap still exists. To assess barriers to EBP among nurses in low- and middle-income countries. This review conforms to the PRISMA statement. Databases PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, and Web of Science/Knowledge were searched using a combination of keywords that included "barriers," "evidence-based practice," and "nurses." The references of the selected articles were also hand-searched to obtain additional relevant articles. Studies published in peer-reviewed journals in English between 2000 and 2018 were included in the review. Sixteen articles were included in the analysis, with a total number of 8,409 participants. Both qualitative and quantitative studies were included in the review. Three main themes emerged from eight categories found. The three main themes were institutional-related barriers, interdisciplinary barriers, and nurse-related barriers. The theme of institutional-related barriers emerged from four categories, which included scant resources, limited access to information, inadequate staffing, and lack of institutional support. The theme of interdisciplinary barriers emerged from subcategories that included lack of communication between academic and clinical practice environments, inconsistency between education and practice in the nursing discipline, lack of teamwork, and the public's negative image about the nursing profession. Finally, the theme of nurse-related barriers emerged from categories including perceived limitations in the scope of nurses' practice, time, knowledge of EBP, and individual-related barriers. These findings may guide the design of future interventions aimed at fostering EBP. Implementing EBP in practice should be systematic and requires institutional will and interdisciplinary and individual commitment. It should be a collective goal and a win-win situation for nurses, clinicians, and healthcare organizations.

Exploring How Practicing Social Workers Define Evidence-Based Practice

This research note presents findings from a study that sought to garner a better understanding of the way in which practicing social workers defined Evidence-Based Practice (EBP). As part of a larger quantitative study, 137 social work practitioners provided a definition for EBP through an online survey and indicated the extent to which they: consider themselves an evidence-based practitioner; believe practitioners should apply EBP in social work; and were prepared through their social work education to use EBP. Content analysis of the practitioners’ definitions of EBP revealed that the majority of respondents described EBP as an intervention or a product versus a process. Regardless of the definition that was provided, descriptive statistics revealed practitioners reported on average that they identified somewhat as an evidence-based practitioner, believed that practitioners should apply EBP in practice moderately to always, and felt only moderately prepared by their social work education for EBP. The findings suggest an opportunity in social work education may exist to further reinforce the process of EBP to delineate it from the evidence-based interventions that may also be taught, especially in clinical programs. Dissemination may also need to occur through mandated continuing education hours, much like ethics has been added as a requirement in some states.

Knowledge and Practice of Midwives in Golestan Province, North of Iran: An Evidence-based Practice

Introduction: Given the role of evidence-based practice (EBP) in the improvement of patient care including midwifery care, the current study aimed at investigating knowledge and practice of midwives worked in health centers in terms of EBP in Golestan Province, North of Iran. Methods: The current cross sectional study was conducted in Golestan Province, North of Iran in 2014. Of 389 midwives worked in family health centers of Golestan Province, 262 subjects were selected using census sampling method. Data collection tool was a self-report questionnaire consisted of three parts: 1) Demographic characteristics; 2) Participants's knowledge about EBP; 3) Participant's practice of EBP. Data were finally analyzed with SPSS version 16. P-value < 0.05 was considered as the level of significance. Results: The mean score of the study subjects in knowledge and use of EBP were 13.2 ± 6.3 and 2.1 ± 1.2, respectively. In other words, 90% of midwives got the score < 22. Significant relationships were found between knowledge and participants’ age (P = 0.001), marital status (P = 0.008), and level of education (P = 0.039). Also, there was a significant relationship between use of EBP and type of recruitment (P = 0.014), workplace (urban or rural) (P ≥ 0.05), and age (P < 0.05). According to Spearman test, there was a remarkable, linear relationship between knowledge and use of EBP (r = 0.437). Conclusions: Knowledge and use of EBP in daily practice among midwives was poor. Given the role of EBP in the improvement of patient care, it is necessary to improve the level of knowledge and utilize EBP efficiently and effectively among healthcare workers using appropriate plans designed by health policymakers.