Factors influencing community nurses' treatment of leg ulcers

Clinical effectiveness and evidence-based practice are a central feature of the clinical governance framework. Few studies have examined factors that motivate nurses to change practice in line with evidence-based guidelines. The overall aim of this exploratory study was to examine community nurses' experience of taking part in a clinical effectiveness programme for the management of leg ulcers in the community and to identify factors most likely to ensure a change in practice. The implementation programme was conducted in the general practices within one district of a primary care audit group. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with all practice nurses and district nurses involved in the care of patients with leg ulcers from the participating practices. Nurses identified the presence of a credible facilitator, visible benefits for patients and a desire to carry out their work in an evidence-based way as factors likely to influence change. However, the degree of change achieved was not uniform across all participants and three typologies of nurses were identified according to their attitudes and level of involvement.