Evidence-Based Practice: Knowledge and Attitudes of Psychiatric Nurses

Background

Evidence-based practice (EBP) is an approach to clinical care that involves solving problems through the conscious use of the best available scientific evidence combined with nurses’ knowledge and patients’ values and preferences.

Objectives

The aim of this study was to assess the knowledge and attitudes of psychiatric nurses regarding EBP.

Material and methods

The study was conducted using a self-designed survey and the Evidence-Based Practice Profile (EBP2) questionnaire. The study included 53 nurses from one psychiatric ward.

Results

The highest mean values were observed in Subdomain I (55.0±7.9 points), Subdomain III (48.8±11.7 points), and Subdomain VI (54.8±7.3 points). The highest mean value was recorded in Subdomain I, with an average of 55.0±7.9 points. Among 25% of the participants, no more than 48 points were observed, while among 75% of the participants, no more than 63 points were observed. The minimum value in Subdomain I was 41, and the maximum value was 68 points. The lowest values were observed in Subdomain II (22.5±4.2 points) and Subdomain IV (21.2±7.1 points). In Subdomain II, no more than 25% of the participants scored 20 points, and no more than 75% scored 25.0 points. The score values in this subdomain ranged from 14.0 to 33.0 points. In Subdomain IV, no more than 25% of the participants scored 16.0 points, and no more than 75% scored 26.0 points.

Conclusions

In the examined group, the participants attributed the highest validity to statements related to the significance of Evidence-Based Practice (EBP) in expanding their own competencies (I) and other aspects related to EBP (VI).

The lowest validity of statements in the examined group was observed in relation to attitudes towards selected aspects of EBP in the nursing profession (II) and the frequency of utilizing EBP in the daily clinical practice of nurses (IV).