Multi-institutional study of barriers to research utilisation and evidence-based practice among hospital nurses

The study aims were to explore the relationships between perceived barriers to research use and the implementation of evidence-based practice among hospital nurses and to investigate the barriers as predictors of implementation of evidence-based practice.

Evidence-based practice is critical in improving healthcare quality. Although barriers to research use have been extensively studied, little is known about the relationships between the barriers and the implementation of evidence-based practice in nursing.

Cross-sectional study.

Data were collected between December 2006-January 2007 for this cross-sectional study using computerised Evidence-Based Practice Questionnaire and BARRIERS surveys. A convenience sample (n=1301) of nurses from four hospitals in southern California, USA, participated. Hierarchical multiple regression analyses were performed for each of the three dependent variables: practice, attitude and knowledge/skills associated with evidence-based practice. BARRIERS subscales were used as predictor variables.

The perceived barriers to research use predicted only 2·7, 2·4 and 4·5% of practice, attitude and knowledge/skills associated with evidence-based practice. Conclusions.  It was unexpected that the barriers to research use predicted such small fractions of practice, attitude and knowledge/skills associated with evidence-based practice. The barriers appear to have minimal influence over the implementation of evidence-based practice for most hospital nurses.

In implementing evidence-based practice, the focus on barriers to research use among general nursing staff may be misplaced. Further studies are needed to identify the predictors of evidence-based practice and to identify the subset of nurses who are most amenable to adopting evidence-based practice.