Evidence-informed practice: simplifying and applying the concept for nursing students and academics

Area of Science:

• Nursing Science
• Healthcare Quality Improvement
• Clinical Practice Research

Background:

• Nurses face persistent challenges in implementing evidence-based practice (EBP) effectively.
• Existing EBP models and interventions have limitations in addressing contextual barriers to consistent evidence application.
• There is a need for refined approaches to bridge the gap between research evidence and clinical nursing practice.

Purpose of the Study:

• To clarify the concept of evidence-informed practice (EIP) as an alternative to EBP.
• To introduce an integrated systems-based model for EIP in clinical nursing.
• To demonstrate the application and benefits of the EIP model in practice.

Main Methods:

• Conceptual clarification of EIP.
• Development of an integrated systems-based EIP model.
• Illustrative scenarios to demonstrate model application in nursing.

Main Results:

• The EIP model provides a structured framework for applying evidence in clinical settings.
• The model addresses systemic factors influencing evidence transfer into practice.
• Scenarios illustrate how the EIP model facilitates evidence utilization and justification.

Conclusions:

• Evidence-informed practice (EIP) offers a viable alternative to overcome EBP implementation barriers.
• The proposed EIP model enhances the effective application of evidence in nursing care.
• EIP promotes the delivery of clinically effective and justifiable patient care.