Factors related to the knowledge and skills of evidence-based practice among hospital nurses: A cross-sectional study

Hideaki  Furuki; Nao  Sonoda; Akiko  Morimoto

doi:10.18502/npt.v12i4.19653

Hideaki Furuki Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
Nao Sonoda Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan
Akiko Morimoto Graduate School of Nursing, Osaka Metropolitan University, Osaka, Japan

DOI: https://doi.org/10.18502/npt.v12i4.19653

Keywords: evidence-based practice; factors; knowledge; nurses; skills

Abstract

Background & Aim: This study aimed to clarify the aspects related to the knowledge and skills of evidence-based practice (EBP) among hospital nurses by incorporating potential factors into a single model.

Methods & Materials: This cross-sectional study was conducted among nurses at six hospitals in Japan, selected for convenience. All nurses (n=2,672) who met the eligibility criteria were invited to participate, and data were collected using a structured, self-administered paper-based questionnaire. Knowledge and skills of EBP were measured using the Japanese version of the EBP Questionnaire. Personal factors, such as educational level, participation in EBP education, and experiences conducting research, as well as work-environment factors, including access to a literature database, were measured. Multiple regression analyses were used to evaluate these relationships.

Results: Seven hundred eighteen nurses (26.9%) were included in the final analysis. Having a master’s degree (β = 0.153, p< 0.001), received education on all five evidence-based practice steps (β= 0.354, p< 0.001) and any of the steps (β= 0.172, p< 0.001), and experiences conducting research twice (β= 0.201, p< 0.001) or more and once (β= 0.094, p= 0.017) were associated with higher knowledge and skills of EBP. Gender, clinical experience, position, certification, database use, and organizational attitude showed no association.

Conclusion: Effectively enhancing the knowledge and skills of hospital nurses in EBP requires education on all five steps of EBP and experience in conducting research. Furthermore, consideration could be given to strengthening EBP education and research in bachelor’s programs to potentially improve evidence-based practice knowledge and skills among more nurses.