Perception of Belgian nurses about evidence-based clinical practice implementation: a focus group study.

Area of Science:

• Nursing
• Healthcare Management
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Evidence-based nursing (EBN) integration into practice remains suboptimal despite recommendations.
• Evaluating nurses' needs and expectations is crucial for developing effective EBN implementation plans.

Purpose of the Study:

• To assess Belgian nurses' perceptions and understanding of evidence-based nursing (EBN).

Main Methods:

• A descriptive qualitative approach was employed.
• Data were collected through seven focus groups involving 56 nurses from diverse work settings and language backgrounds.

Main Results:

• Nurses demonstrated limited familiarity with the EBN concept.
• Identified barriers include lack of time, insufficient information processing skills, inadequate management support, and low professional recognition.

Conclusions:

• Facilitating EBN requires dedicated support staff and an interactive web-based platform for accessing and interpreting research.
• An electronic decision-making tool and a supportive clinical culture are essential for advancing EBN.