Understanding EBP, or Evidence-Based Practice, in the nursing field is essential.
Understanding EBP or Evidence-Based Practice in the Nursing Field
Evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is an approach to providing nursing care that uses the most current research available to improve the safety, health, and well-being of patients. This practice focuses on delivering high-quality patient care while reducing healthcare costs and variations in patient outcomes. EBP in nursing integrates clinical expertise, patient values, and the best evidence into the decision-making process for patient care (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? | ANA, n.d.).
The purpose of this article is to help nurses understand the concept, benefits, and challenges of EBP in nursing, as well as provide some examples of how to implement it in clinical practice.
What is the Concept of EBP in Nursing?
The concept of EBP in nursing emerged from the evidence-based medicine movement, which was initiated by Professor Archie Cochrane, an epidemiologist from the United Kingdom, in the 1970s. Cochrane advocated for the use of randomized controlled trials as the most reliable source of evidence for healthcare interventions (Evidence-Based Practice | Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023).
EBP in nursing was further developed by David Sackett and his colleagues, who defined it as “the conscientious, explicit, and judicious use of current best evidence in making decisions about the care of individual patients” (Sackett et al., 1996). They proposed a five-step process for applying EBP in nursing, which consists of:
1. Asking a clear and focused question about a patient’s problem or need.
2. Searching for the best available evidence from relevant and trustworthy sources.
3. Appraising the quality and validity of the evidence using critical appraisal tools and criteria.
4. Applying the evidence to clinical practice by considering the patient’s preferences, values, and circumstances.
5. Evaluating the outcomes and effectiveness of the intervention and modifying it as needed.
What are the Benefits of EBP in Nursing?
EBP in nursing has many benefits for patients, nurses, and healthcare organizations. Some of these benefits are:
– Improved patient outcomes: EBP in nursing can help improve patient outcomes by providing care that is based on the best available evidence, rather than on tradition, intuition, or personal experience. EBP in nursing can also help prevent errors, complications, and adverse events by reducing unnecessary or ineffective interventions (Understanding Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing + 10 Examples, n.d.).
– Enhanced patient satisfaction: EBP in nursing can enhance patient satisfaction by involving patients in the decision-making process and respecting their preferences and values. EBP in nursing can also increase patient trust and confidence in the quality and safety of care they receive (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? | ANA, n.d.).
– Increased nurse competence and confidence: EBP in nursing can increase nurse competence and confidence by providing them with the knowledge and skills to access, appraise, and apply research evidence to their practice. EBP in nursing can also help nurses keep up-to-date with the latest developments and innovations in their field (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? – UMFK, n.d.).
– Reduced healthcare costs: EBP in nursing can reduce healthcare costs by eliminating unnecessary or ineffective interventions that waste time, money, and resources. EBP in nursing can also help optimize the use of existing resources and improve efficiency and productivity (Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (5 Benefits) – Indeed, n.d.).
– Advanced nursing practice and profession: EBP in nursing can advance nursing practice and profession by contributing to the generation and dissemination of new knowledge and evidence that can inform policy and practice. EBP in nursing can also help nurses demonstrate their accountability and credibility as autonomous and collaborative practitioners (Evidence-Based Practice | Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023).
What are the Challenges of EBP in Nursing?
Despite its benefits, EBP in nursing also faces some challenges that may hinder its implementation and adoption. Some of these challenges are:
– Lack of time: Nurses may lack time to search for, appraise, and apply research evidence to their practice due to heavy workload, competing priorities, or insufficient staffing. Nurses may also lack time to update their knowledge and skills on EBP methods and tools (Understanding Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing + 10 Examples, n.d.).
– Lack of access: Nurses may lack access to research evidence due to limited availability or affordability of databases, journals, or libraries. Nurses may also lack access to computers or internet connection at their workplace or home (Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (5 Benefits) – Indeed, n.d.).
– Lack of skills: Nurses may lack skills to search for, appraise, and apply research evidence to their practice due to inadequate education or training on EBP methods and tools. Nurses may also lack skills to critically evaluate the quality and validity of the evidence or to synthesize and translate it into practice (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? – UMFK, n.d.).
– Lack of support: Nurses may lack support to implement EBP in nursing from their colleagues, managers, or organizations. Nurses may face resistance or skepticism from other healthcare professionals who are reluctant to change their practice or who have different opinions or preferences. Nurses may also face barriers or constraints from organizational policies, procedures, or culture that are not conducive to EBP (Evidence-Based Practice | Johns Hopkins Medicine, 2023).
How to Implement EBP in Nursing?
To overcome these challenges and implement EBP in nursing effectively, nurses need to adopt a positive attitude and a proactive approach to EBP. Some of the strategies that can help nurses implement EBP in nursing are:
– Seek and use available resources: Nurses can seek and use available resources that can facilitate their access to and use of research evidence, such as databases, journals, libraries, websites, or online courses. Nurses can also use resources that can help them appraise and apply research evidence, such as critical appraisal tools, guidelines, protocols, or algorithms (Understanding Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing + 10 Examples, n.d.).
– Collaborate and communicate: Nurses can collaborate and communicate with other healthcare professionals who are interested or experienced in EBP, such as researchers, educators, mentors, or peers. Nurses can also join or form EBP groups, committees, or networks that can provide them with support, feedback, or guidance on EBP issues or projects (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? | ANA, n.d.).
– Engage and empower patients: Nurses can engage and empower patients by involving them in the decision-making process and respecting their preferences and values. Nurses can also educate and inform patients about the benefits and risks of different interventions based on the best available evidence (Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (5 Benefits) – Indeed, n.d.).
– Evaluate and improve practice: Nurses can evaluate and improve their practice by measuring and monitoring the outcomes and effectiveness of their interventions based on the best available evidence. Nurses can also reflect on their practice and identify areas for improvement or further learning (What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? – UMFK, n.d.).
Conclusion
EBP in nursing is an approach to providing nursing care that uses the most current research available to improve the safety, health, and well-being of patients. EBP in nursing has many benefits for patients, nurses, and healthcare organizations, but it also faces some challenges that may hinder its implementation and adoption. To implement EBP in nursing effectively, nurses need to adopt a positive attitude and a proactive approach to EBP, as well as seek and use available resources, collaborate and communicate with others, engage and empower patients, and evaluate and improve their practice.
References
Evidence-Based Practice | Johns Hopkins Medicine. (2023). Retrieved from https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/nursing/center-nursing-inquiry/nursing-inquiry/evidence-based-practice
Role of Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing (5 Benefits) – Indeed. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/benefits-of-evidence-based-practice-in-nursing
Sackett DL, Rosenberg WM, Gray JA, Haynes RB, Richardson WS. Evidence-based medicine: what it is and what it isn’t. BMJ. 1996;312(7023):71–72.
Understanding Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing + 10 Examples. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nursingprocess.org/evidence-based-practice-in-nursing-examples.html
What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing research essay writing service? | ANA. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nursingworld.org/practice-policy/nursing-excellence/evidence-based-practice-in-nursing/
What Is Evidence-Based Practice in Nursing? – UMFK. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://online.umfk.edu/nursing/rn-to-bsn/evidence-based-practice-nursing/
