Impact of a Formal Educational Skill-Building Program Based on the ARCC Model to Enhance Evidence-Based Practice...

Area of Science:

• Healthcare Management
• Nursing Education
• Evidence-Based Practice

Background:

• Implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) is crucial for enhancing healthcare quality, safety, patient outcomes, and cost-effectiveness.
• A significant gap in EBP competency exists among nurses and clinicians nationwide.

Purpose of the Study:

• To evaluate a 5-day continuing education skill-building program (immersion) for nursing teams as a strategy to foster EBP competence, practice, and sustainable culture.
• The Advancing Research and Clinical Practice Through Close Collaboration Model guided the initiative.

Main Methods:

• A project team with EBP expertise was formed.
• Five validated survey instruments assessed EBP culture, readiness, beliefs, implementation, and competencies.
• Nursing teams participated in the program and implemented EBP projects over one year.

Main Results:

• Participants demonstrated significant improvements in EBP knowledge, skills, competencies, and beliefs.
• These improvements were sustained at the 12-month follow-up.
• Team-based EBP skill-building effectively enhanced competence, practice, and culture.

Conclusions:

• A team-based EBP skill-building program is an effective strategy for developing EBP competence, practice, and culture.
• Strong leadership engagement and robust infrastructure are vital for establishing and maintaining an EBP culture.