Hospital readiness for undertaking evidence-based practice: A survey

Nurs Health Sci. 2016 Dec;18(4):465-472. doi: 10.1111/nhs.12293. Epub 2016 Jun 27.

Abstract

Despite the fact that evidence-based practice has increasing emphasis in health care, organizations are not always prepared for its implementation. Identifying organizational preparedness for implementing evidence-based practice is desirable prior to application. A cross-sectional survey was developed to explore nurses' perception of organizational support for evidence-based practice and was implemented via a self-enumerated survey completed by 234 nurses. Data were analyzed with descriptive and inferential statistics. Nurses reported that implementation of evidence-based practice is complex and fraught with challenges because of a lack of organizational support. A conceptual framework comprising three key factors: information resources, nursing leadership, and organizational infrastructure was proposed to assist health authorities in the implementation of evidence-based practice. Suggestions of how organizations can be more supportive of research utilization in practice include establishing a library, journal clubs/mentoring programs, nurses' involvement in decision-making at unit level, and a local nursing association.

Keywords: Vietnam; conceptual framework; evidence-based practice/evidence-based nursing; leadership; organizational readiness.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Attitude of Health Personnel
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Evidence-Based Nursing*
  • Female
  • Hospitals / trends*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Models, Nursing*
  • Nurses / psychology*
  • Organizational Culture*
  • Program Development / standards*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Vietnam